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NORTHERN MEMOIRS,

CALCULATED FOR

THE MERIDIAN OF SCOTLAND ;

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

THE CONTEMPLATIVE AND PRACTICAL

ANGLER.

WRIT IN THE YEAR- 1658, ' i

BY

RICHARD FRANCK, PHILANTHROPIC.

Plures necat Gula quam Gladius.

NEW EDITION,

WITH

•

PREFACE AND NOTES.

EDINBURGH :

PRINTED FOR ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO. EDINBURGH;
AND HURST, ROBINSON, AND CO. LONDON.

1821.

FS

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

PREFACE, . . . . : 1

To Mr J. W. Merchant in London, v

DEDICATIONS. — To the Virtuosos of the Rod in London, xiii
To the Academicks of Cambridge, . . . xxi
To the Gentlemen Piscatorians of Not-
tingham, xxviii

The Author's Preface, xxxiii

The Author to his Book, xliii

RECOMMENDATORY POEMS.— By John Richards, . . . xliv

By Mercurius Hermon, . xlv

By John Slator, .... xlvi

By Richard Johnson, . . xlix

The Author to the Poet, 1

NORTHERN MEMOIRS, 1

Notes on the Northern Memoirs, 363

The Angler ; from Browne's Britannia's Pastorals, . . 378

678563

PREFACE.

THE following reprint of a scarce book will afford,
it is hoped, amusement as well to the topographical
antiquary as to the lover of the angle, since it con-
tains some curious particulars respecting the state
of Scotland during the sixteenth century.

Of Richard Franck, the author, nothing is
known beyond what he himself has intimated. He
was born at Cambridge, as is stated from one of
his three dedications, and during the reign of
James VI. , as appears from his having lived du-
ring the reign of five sovereigns. But, as Franck
repeatedly mentions his slender education, it is not
likely he participated, to any extent, in the ad-
vantages of the university, although one would

think some degree of learning was necessary to
have formed so very uncommon and pedantic a
style. He informs his worthy and honoured friend
Mr J, W. merchant in London, that the impend-
ing Civil Wars drove him from the university to
London; and if he was born about 1624 (James
died in 1625) he would be seventeen years of age
in the fatal 1641.

Richard Franck seems to have resided at Not-
tingham, but in what capacity he give us no op-
portunity of conjecturing, nor whether it was be-
fore or after his expedition to Scotland ; he cer-
tainly served in the Parliament's cavalry during
the wars in Scotland, to which he makes repeated
allusion, and thence, probably, he derived the title
of Captain, given to him by Richard Johnson in his
commendatory verses. In religion, Franck appears
to have been an Independent, but upon a mystical
system of his own, which was no uncommon cir-
cumstance in that age. He censures occasionally
both Prelate and Presbyter, and throws out, from
time to time, his own peculiar tenets, which, in-
deed, he was at the pains to publish more at length,
though not more intelligibly, in a separate work,

called Rabbi Moses, written expressly for that pur-
pose.

It is singular that, under all these circumstances,
Richard Franck, a Cromwellian trooper, and Inde-
pendent, should have been represented as an un-
fortunate Royalist, who undertook his tour to Scot-
land to escape the persecution of the dominant
party during the Commonwealth. His enumera-
tion of " the six great patriots of the English na-
tion," Ireton, Vane, Nevill, Martin, Marvel, and
Cromwell,* as well as his subsequent panegyric
upon the Protector,f ought to have prevented this
misrepresentation. The truth seems to be, that the
author's journey into Scotland was owing to his de-
sire of withdrawing himself from the disturbances
which seemed like to arise in the Commonwealth.
At what exact period this occurred, is not surely
settled. If written in 1658, the journey must
have been performed in 1656 or 1657, in which
case the disturbances apprehended might be those
betwixt the republicans and the faction of Crom-
well, which led to the plot for which Sinder-

* Pp. 253-4. f P. 286.

combe suffered in 1 656. No doubt, the uncertain
state of things which succeeded Cromwell's death,
in 1658, was still more likely to have induced a
prudent man to withdraw himself from approach-
ing evil. But, first, Cromwell only died 3d Sep-
tember 1658, rather too late in the season for
commencing a fishing tour as far as Sutherland ;
and, secondly, an event so remarkable would have
been hinted at in the dialogue betwixt Arnoldus,
Theophilus, and Agrippa, which precedes the re-
solution of the two first to visit Scotland.

The general route adopted by Arnoldus (Franck)
and his companion, (for in description he often de-
viates from it,) contains a very extensive tour in
Scotland, which they enter by Dumfries and San-
quhar. They then traverse Ayrshire, and come to
Glasgow by Kilmarnock, visit Lochlomond and its
romantic environs, from thence go to Crieff by
Stirling, and from Crieff return southwards to
Perth. From Perth the travellers descend Strath-
more by Meigle, Forfar, and Brechin, and from
thence journey northward by Fettercairn, Cairaie-
mount, and Kincardine O'Neall to Loch Ness.
From Inverness they proceed to Sutherland, and

visit Dunrobin, and the small town of Tain in
Ross-shire ; Cromarty is also visited, and the tra-
vellers return by Castle Gordon, Aberdeen, and
the coast-road which traverses Stonehaven, Mon-
trose, Dundee, Bruntisland, to Edinburgh. From
Edinburgh the pilgrims return to England by
Dunbar and Berwick ; and, finally, repose at Not-
tingham, where, as we observed, the author seems
at one time to have had his ordinary residence.

The sketch of such a tour, made during the se-
venteenth century, promises, it must be allowed,
a great deal more curiosity and interest than the
reader will receive from the actual perusal. The
rage of fine writing had unfortunately seized on
Richard Franck, Philanthropes, with inveteracy
unparalleled, unless perhaps in the case of Sir
Thomas Urquhart of Cromerty ; and instead of
acquainting us with what actually befel him, like
a man of this world, he generally renders himself
obscure, and sometimes altogether unintelligible, by
his affected pedantry and obscurity. Probably no
reader, while he reads the disparaging passages in
which the venerable Isaac Walton is introduced,
can forbear wishing that the good old man, who

had so true an eye for nature, so simple a taste
for her most innocent pleasures, and withal, so
sound a judgment, both concerning men and things,
had made this northern tour instead of Franck ;
and had detailed in the beautiful simplicity of his
Arcadian language, his observations on the scene-
ry and manners of Scotland. Yet we must do our
author the justice to state, that he is as much su-
perior to the excellent patriarch Isaac Walton, in
the mystery of fly-fishing, as inferior to him in
taste, feeling, and common sense. Franck's con-
tests with salmon are painted to the life, and his
directions to the angler are generally given with
great judgment. Walton's practice was entirely
confined to bait-fishing, and even Cotton, his dis-
ciple and follower, though accustomed to fish trout
in the Dove, with artificial fly, would have been
puzzled by a fish (for so the salmon is called, par
excellence, in most parts of Scotland) of twenty
pounds weight ; both being alike strangers to that
noble branch of the art, which exceeds all other
uses of the angling-rod, as much as fox-hunting
excels hare-hunting.

It must not be omitted, that the Northern Me-

moirs, though less rich in local description and anec-
dote than might have been hoped, contain a great
deal of interesting matter, concerning the state of
Scotland, during the Civil Wars. They appear to
have been committed to writing in 1658 ; but cer-
tainly not drawn out at length until 1685 ; so that
the author's reflections often relate to events which
took place long after the term of his own journey.
This is the remark of his friend Theophilus, who
says, " You writ your book in 58, and spread the
net to 85."* There may be reason to think, that
the first Dedication to " Mr J. W., merchant in
London," was written for the rough draught of the
Memoirs, and that the " prudent and valorous
prince," who is pointed out as healing the wounds
of the Civil Wars, was the Protector Oliver, whose
death and its consequences may have prevented the
publication of the work. But this supposition, the
reader must be aware, rests on the same arguments
which were formerly alleged, for supposing the tour
was made in 1656, or 1657. If these do not ap-

* P. 285.

pear convincing, and they are by no means offered
as conclusive, the " victorious prince" must mean
William III., applied to whom, the epithet is of
doubtful propriety. At length, so late as 1696,
the Northern Memoirs were given to the public.

During the interim it would seem, from his
publication entitled Rabbi Moses, that the author
had been in America, which was a general place
of refuge to the soldiers or followers of the Com-
monwealth, as soon as the Restoration rendered
England an unpleasant or dangerous abode for
them. The full title is, " A Philosophical Trea-
tise of the Original and Production of Things
Writ in America in a Time of Solitude. By R.
Franck, London, 1687." At the end of the
Northern Memoirs, the same work is advertised as
" Rabbi Moses, or a Philosophical, &c. to be Sold
by the Author at his House in Barbican."

If the Northern Memoirs were published in the
year 1694, Richard Franck, the author, born, as
we have calculated, during the last years of King
James the First's reign, must have attained the
age of seventy and upwards ; so probably did not
survive the publication many years ; and these few

notices arc all the particulars of his life, which an
attentive perusal of his work has enabled us to
trace.

Franck, as already noticed, seems to have enter-
tained peculiar and mystical notions in theology,
yet, in general, expresses himself as a good Chris-
tian, and well-meaning man. His praise of Mon-
trose and others, opposed to his own party, is, to
say the least, liberal and candid ; and his view of
Scotland, under so many circumstances of national
discouragement, and affording, doubtless, most ex-
quisite reasons for the censure which the travel-
lers occasionally cast upon the sluttishness of the
cookery, and the inferiority of accommodation which
they met with, indicates much good-humoured li-
berality. It is remarkable, that he does not appear
to have experienced that hospitality which Taylor,
at an early period, and many tourists since his
day, have received in Scotland, and which we are
accustomed to consider as characteristic of the
country. Captain Franck does not mention having
experienced the civility of any native from the be-
ginning of his tour to the end ; for the hospitable
Commandant of Dumbarton was undoubtedly an

10

Englishman. If this was owing to the dislike in
which Franck's countrymen were held at that
time in the land, which they kept in subjection,
the circumstance makes his candour the more re-
markable, and every Scotchman must look with
some favour on an author, who, so circumstanced,
could have described Caledonia as " a legible fair
draught of the beautiful creation, dressed up with
polished rocks, pleasant savannas, flourishing dales,
deep and torpid lakes, with shady woods, immerged
with rivers and gliding rivulets, where every foun-
tain overflows a valley, and (which is especially to
the author's purpose) every ford superabounds with
fish."

It only remains to say, that a young friend ha-
ving undertaken the present edition of a rare work,
(of which only a limited number of copies has been
printed,) these remarks, and a few trivial notes,
were contributed by one who may subscribe him-
self with John Richards, in his Recommendatory
Poem : —

No FISHER,

BUT A WELL-WISHER

To THE GAME.

EDINBURGH, January 3, 1821.

THE TROUT, THE DACE, THE PIKE, THE BREAME,
THE EELE, THAT LOVES THE TROUBLED STREAME,
THE MILLER'S THOMBE, THE HIDING LOACH,
THE PERCH, THE EVER-NIBLING ROACH,
THE SHOALES WITH WHOM IS TAVIE FRAUGHT,
THE FOOLISH GUDGEON QUICKLY CAUGHT,
AND LAST, THE LITTLE MINNOW-FISH,
WHOSE CHIEFE DELIGHT IN GRAVELL IS.

Britannia1! Pastorals^- WILLIAM B&OWKE.

TO

MY WORTHY AND HONOURED FRIEND,

MR J. W. MERCHANT IN LONDON.

SIR,

As this compendious volume of my North-
ern Memoirs contains nothing of obscenity
whereat I may blush, so I hope no absurdi-
ty worthy your reprehension : Yet because
modelized in the plain methods of an Eng-
lish dress, will perhaps occasion the sciolist
to interpret me but a junior academian ;
and truly so he may, if when to consider my
slender education. However, I have endea-
voured, as much as in me lies, to avoid all
prolixity, and long parentheses, which pos-
sibly would relish unpleasant in your ear ;
so have I abhorred repeated tautologies, lest
fearing to nauseate and surfeit your appe-
tite.

vi

For that end, sir, I'll be brief in my de-
scription of Scotland, and as concise as pos-
sible in my Contemplative Angler ; so sum
up both as compendiously as I can. In
Cambridg, it's true, I had my education;
but travel having the ascendent over me,
I afterwards rambled the remote northern
tracts of Scotland ; where, to admiration, I
inspected that little artick world, and every
angle of it. It's true, travel always affected
me, and to travel by books, when nothing
else presented to transport me, was a soli-
tary kind of satisfaction, but no fruition. I
must confess 'twas in an ill juncture of time,
when the nation was alarm'd by the fatal
approach of an intestine war (that perplex'd
my anxious thoughts with various inquie-
tudes) because then to see a preternatural
cloud arise, that neither men nor counsels
were prophetick enough to consult, where-
by to stop the deluge of this hostile inun-
dation that threatned to involve the king-
dom in blood.

In this dilemma I left the university to
seek umbrage in the city of London ; but
my retirements contributed equal trouble,

Vll

for now a smoak began to rise in every cor-
ner, and like a meteor, it blaz'd out at last
into fuliginous flames, that overspread the
beautiful prospect of peace; which not on-
ly distracted the minds but the manners of
men ; because then to behold a storm rise
out of a calm, that not only threatned pre-
rogative and privilege, but a national exit,
unhappily calculated to compel the people
to see their own ruins wrapt up in the des-
tiny of war. Where some, because never
enough satisfied by being well, endeavoured
by inadvertency to make themselves worse,
and striking their breasts with their own
weapons, forced all the kingdom to bleed
at last. So that now every man runs to seek
a pleget to stanch, if possible, the reeking
wound ; yet no man so propitious to find
his own cure, by which he fancied all the
rest incurable. That now so generally and
epidemically the kingdom was diseased, that
deliriated and distracted, they let one an-
other blood. Nor stop'd it here neither, for
the cultivated fields stained all over with
English blood (beyond all precedent) bled,

via

till the life of that nonsuch Charles expi-
red.

But now since England is so happily blest
under the prudent, conduct of a valorous
prince (whose heroick vertues like a corona
surround him) presents me an opportunity
to step into Scotland, to examine there her
remoter stars, fed by the vital flames of our
southern orb ; supposing it no riddle, to
fancy any man ridiculous that holds up a ta-
per to illuminate the sun : for if when to con-
sider, that the beautiful Cynthia sheds her
nocturnal beam abroad, only to sprinkle the
universe with cold influences, from thence
we conclude that the major luminary (viz.
the sun) adds to her obscurity his bright re-
flections, since she of herself is but a bor-
rowed light, that can neither warm the world,
nor cherish it with vegetation. But the light
of the sun not only invigorates the creation
with light and warmth, but is also a crea-
tional good in the ends of production.

Come then, whilst it is day, let us step
into Scotland, to rummage and rifle her
rivers and rivulets, and examine her flou-

IX

rishing streams for entertainment; there the
rocks and the groves will be our solent re-
ception, and the cities and citadels supply
us with accommodation ; and there I fancy
our time will be well enough spent to view
the country, and give a description of all
her curiosities : which I here present you,
my worthy patron, in this short narrative,
not doubting your clemency to absolve my
stripling muse, though not fleg enough to
elevate it self to the lowest elevations of
your generous acceptation. But I'll do what
I can in these northern tracts, to bring you
a discovery of some of her rarities, whose
solitary shades strike a damp to my pen,
because to behold there such unexpected
landskips, meanders and labyrinths (which
I frequently met with) as exposed my reso-r
lution to a farther progress, whereby to dis-
cover all her northern gaities that shin'd
so splendidly in every fir-wood, as also in
her lofty domineering hills, that over-top'd
the submissive shady dales, and over-look'd
the rapid torrents of rivers, and pretty purl-
ing gliding rivulets ; where the polish'd
rocks, and imbellish'd fortifications beyond

X

HH

belief, so sufpriz'd my genius, that it puz-
zles me to report these remote cariosities.
For you are to consider, sir, that the
whole tract of Scotland is but one single se-
ries of admirable delights, notwithstanding
the prejudicate reports of some men that
represent it otherwise. For if eye-sight be
argument convincing enough to confirm a
truth, it enervates my pen to describe Scot-
land's curiosities, which properly ought to
fall under a more elegant stile to range them
in order for a better discovery. For Scot-
land is not Europe's umbra^ as fictitiously
imagined by some extravagant wits : No,
it's rather a legible fair draught of the beau-
tiful creation, drest up with polish'd rocks,
pileasant savanas, flourishing dales, deep and
torpid lakes, with shady fir- woods, immerg'd
with rivers and gliding rivulets; where every
fountain o'reflows a valley, and every ford
superabounds with fish. Where also the
swelling mountains are covered with sheep,
and the rnarish grounds strewed with cattle,
whilst every field is fill'd with corn, and
every swamp swarms with fowl. This, in
my opinion, proclaims a plenty, and pre-

XI

sents Scotland, a kingdom of prodigies and
products too, to allure foreigners, and en-
tertain travellers.

So that now Scotland represents a star
that reflects a beam on our southern orb ;
but England is the magnet that attracts this
northern Chalybs by sweet influences, (and
mild condescensions) whereby the fruits of
peace and tranquillity protrude, and bud up
to unite interests in one another. The orbs
were made for the erratick stars ; and every
star as a lesser orb (destinated for light and
discovery) renders the creation beautiful to
excess, by divine appointment of the divi-
nest. For the sun we see is not impaired, be-
cause to lend us a ray of light ; nor does it
lessen superiours (in any degree) to commu-
nicate their virtues to influence inferiours.
Do stars run retrograde to make subjects
slaves, when the whole creation is but un-
der subjection by divine condescension of
the great Creator ? Nor is there any thing
of slavery (save only servility) except man
who enslaves himself to his lust ; or by ty-
ranny imposed upon his fellow creature,
And now, sir, I have done, in doing my

Xll

duty, not only to my country, but singly to
your self : give me leave therefore to wind
up my epistle, and solicit pardon if any
thing be amiss ; supposing my language runs
harsh and rugged ; but that I cannot help,
because drawn from the rough draught of a
martial pen, which shews my stile may be
somewhat unpolished. Nor can I flatter
the times, for I never was a parasite nor a
time-server ; so that, errors excepted, I may
hope a pardon and an easy penance from
so mild, so moderate and judicious a pa-
tron, under whose patronage I lodg my sen-
timents, and subscribe my self,

Worthy sir, yours to serve you,

PHILANTHROPIC.

DEDICATION

TO THE

Virtuosos of the Rod in Great Britain's Metro-
polis, the famous City of London.

GENTLEMEN,

I WAS somewhat unwilling my Angler should
pass the press, till sedulously examined by
some of your ingenious society ; and the ra-
ther, because it's eminently known, that
many amongst you are experienced profi-
cients, in the mystical art and intrigues of
angling : whose approbation will indisputa-
bly accommodate my design, provided it
come time enough, before my Angler en-
counter the press. However, if it come

XIV

short, I shall satisfy my self (as if already
confirmed) that you'l please to embarque in
these my solitary examinations of those ri-
vers and rivulets in England and Scotland,
where the fields in winter are paved with
frost ; yet are the meadows in summer-
time beautified with greens, and deck'd and
adorn'd with redolent sweets, that perfume
the air, whose delightful fords are furnish-
ed with trout ; and to advance recreation,
the generous race of salmon : an entertain-
ment perhaps not every where understood,
nor is it by every angler (I perswade my
self) throughly examined.

But, gentlemen, I have brought you some-
what else ; which, for ought I know, may
prove a friendly diversion, if you please to
inspect this narrative and survey of Scot-
land, where perhaps you'l meet with such
entertainment, as may not only benefit, but
in some measure delight you, after your ex-
ercise of fishing for trout. What then if you
step from the water-side, and contemplate
nature ; so raising your scenes, you'l ad-
mire the Creator, in his rare and admirable

XV

creational work ; there you may see the ope-
ration of elements and stellate influences ;
there also you may see the curious and va-
rious amalgamations of earth into crista-
line forms and opacous bodies ; and there
you may see how the luminaries are adapt-
ed parents of polite stones, metals and mi-
nerals : How vegetables also protrude and
bud up, because impregnated with prolifick
vegetation ; and how the principles naturally
operate in animals, inspired and animated
by the soul of the world.

We have also considered some moral du-
ties, in reference to men of sober conversa-
tion : nor are we altogether barren of soli-
tudes, and divine contemplation. The stars
we consider as fiery objects, and he that
made them thus gloriously to shine, made
them also to influence and impregnate the
universe : for God through wisdom hung
up aloft these bright, shining, and globical
bodies, whereby to illuminate this stupen-
dous creation ; and that by reason of their
rapidity and circular rotation, they impreg-
nate the earth with prolifick virtue : and as

XVI

we see the stars surround the earth, the orbs
beyond dispute immure the stars ; but the
heavens encircling both the orbs and ele-
ments, plainly demonstrate that from the
divinest, every created individual has both
ends and means naturally and specifically
appropriated to it self, whereby to make it
visible ; and visibility terminates in time.
Which notion, to explain in a philosophical
sense, seems to imply, that both matter and
form results in their own proper and natu-
ral beginning. Know therefore that cor-
ruption is the child of putrefaction, and pu-
trefaction is the prison and sepulchre of
death ; death therefore precedes the resur-
rection, and the resurrection is the clavis
that opens eternity.

But, gentlemen, pray excuse me if I wan-
der too far from the water-side, to gaze and
admire these glorious metaphors, the divine
oracles of him that made them, so not on-
ly lose my opportunity of angling, but en-
danger to lose my self in these solitary me-
anders ; rarely frequented and trod by the
vulgar. Give me leave therefore to retrieve

XVII

my self, and introduct you into the slen-
der margin of this my uncultivated book ;
and examine the volume, if provided any
thing may be found there worthy your inge-
nious entertainment, or the general accep-
tation of so splendid a society, that gives
laws and rules to all the anglers in Eng-
land ; that accommodates every county with
rods for diversion, and inriches every ri-
ver with hooks and lines ; that circumspect-
ly prescribes critical hours for recreation,
and consults both the mean and elevation
of angling, whereby to augment and quicken
the spur of pleasure. But I'm sorry I can
raise my scenes no higher, to elevate this
admirable piscatorian science, beyond the
Elizium of the angler's Arcadia. For had
I that pre-eminence of pen and fancy, to il-
lustrate what the art of it self deservedly re-
quires, I should impoverish England, nay
it may be all Europe, if not all the world,
to select expressions, to express and deci-
pher it's deserved encomium. But finding
my self unable to accomplish this great un-
dertaking, I'll silently sit down satisfied,

XV111

under the rhapsodies of contemplation ; in-
viting my associates so to do, when encoun-
tring the rocks and rivers for recreation.

Now, gentlemen, since magnetism is so
little known among artists, I less blame the
indigency of those that know not how na-
ture by innate quality attracts her own like-
ness, than other inconsiderate rationals, that
sport away their time in pursuit of their
lusts. Let the angler therefore (if he please)
select contemplation, and pity such others
that are destitute of those heavenly advan-
tages, till the strokes of grace and a pious
example or education, compel them to write
memorandums of the glorious creation, in
the fair and legible copy-book of wisdom ;
so imitate nature in her daily progress, till
ariving at the super-excellency of practical
Christianity, which truly to know, is wisdom
in the abstract, that transmutes our nature
into grace, and our humanity into divinity.
But this you'l alledg is heavenly transmu-
tation ; and so it is beyond the mediums
and discovery of art, or the indication of
nature (improper therefore to introduce un-

XIX

dergraduats) : It's true, it is so ; but what
then ? can't they omit the thoughts of ele-
ments, to mingle sometimes their contem-
plations with things more sublime ? Can't
they relinquish their exercise, to converse
with heavenly objects ? This I advise to,
and my book will instruct them.

Now I have given you a plat-form for
contemplation, which opens the windows
of the mind to inspectulate (if possible) in-
visible objects ; but not to darken your sight
by gazing too much at the sun ; for the more
amiable and illustrious any thing is, the
more astonishing is that thing, and ought
therefore to be the more admired, conse-
quently desired, before the methods of in-
dustry, or the lineal progress of art. But
in as much as angling is a great part of our
business, let me admonish the more inge-
nious artist to be mindful of experience, lest
peradventure he slide into the slippery tract
of an author, so unman himself of practical
demonstration. Against which hypothesis
I exhort the angler, whilst capable to trace

12

XX

the silver sands, or florid meadows of Thames
and Trent, to consort with ingenuity amongst
rocks and meanders, where probably he may
meet with his friend

PHILANTHROPIC.

A

DEDICATION

TO THE

Academicks in Cambridge the place of my
Nativity.

GENTLEMEN,

I PRESENT you with a fair opportunity to
travel Scotland, and stay at home : but then
you'l lose the benefit of tracing those north-
ern tracts, where you may pick up admira-
ble curiosities in every angle, because na-
turally replenished with great variety. But
not that I commend the country to flatter
her inhabitants, nor intend I to exceed in
my method and stile, when only to describe
her cities and citadels, towns and castles,

<Scc. For that end expect an impartial ac-

b

XX11

count from a candid and (I would, if per-
mitted, say) a regular pen, that neither pro-
fits nor loses by imbellishing or demolish-
ing either her towns, cities, forts, or fortifi-
cations.

But the longer I comment upon this
northern subject, the more arguments I
bring to convince the incredulous, that Scot-
land's national stores, and commodious ma-
ritime ports, will treat you with good accom-
modation and civil entertainment. Nor do
I seem to contradict my self, when modest-
ly concluding every impartial examinant
under the perswasion of my opinion : nor
doubt I to convince him, that shall hereaf-
ter trace her delightful shores, and observe
the various and distinct classes of her num-
berless numbers of fish and fowl, her lofty
and domineering mountains, and mountain-
ous ascents burdned with firs, her pleasant
and fertil fields fill'd with corn, and her
meadows and pastures crowded with herds
of cattle, but that he will conclude with me,
that her cities and sea-ports flourish under
the conduct of trade and navigation. And
where the gilded Highlands are the Low-

XXlll

landers prospect, and the skirts of the hills
sanctuary to the bordering planes, shading
her plants from the fiery strokes of the sun
in summer, that defends them against im-
petuous and immoderate cold in winter, in-
cident there to in regard so situated, that it
lies north latitude near fifty nine degrees,
though reaching the cusp of our southern
situations.

Formerly, I confess, I flattered my self
with Scotland's intemperance ; but my opi-
nion is otherwise now, because having suf-
ficiently examined to the contrary, and ad-
judg it an error in any man to denounce
sentence before examination. Are the Ar-
tick and Antartick Poles at variance, be-
cause of distance and seemingly contrary
actings ? or stand they in opposition one
to another, because Aristotle's philosophy
could not reconcile them ? Must it there-
fore follow that there's no correspondency,
no congruity nor harmony betwixt them ?
when it's evident they are exerted by the
universal spirit of nature, whereby they act
and react upon one another : else would the
tides of themselves stand still, and because
11

XXIV

wanting motion, the ocean would stagnate,
and at last result in putrefaction ; so by
consequence invite a new creation.

Let Scotland therefore be England's Cha-
lybs, and let England be unto a Scotland a
magnet to attract, contemporate, and min-
gle those northern severities, by southern
softned reflections of moderate heat ; lest
peradventure the rose withers, and the this-
tle meet with the fatal stroak of the syeth.
Nature is but one in all her operations. So
let these two famous and flourishing king-
doms survive their enemies, whilst I strip
off some of Scotland's sweetest flowers, to
present them to Cambridg, the place of my
nativity, with this legitimate fair one ; in-
tending her an academian there, because I
fancy in time she may grow a proficient,
when at present to appear so amiable in
rags ; and probably deserves better orna-
ments than my slender education is capable
to give her, whereby to manuduct her to
point the ground, till she her self treads the
stage of the world, as her heroick ancestors
have done before her.

In the mean time, let me flatter my self,

XXV

that no gentleman will be so ingenteel to
censure my survey, because not lineally ar-
tificial. I grant my methods might have
been reformed by riper judgments, and my
discourse placed in better order, which pos-
sibly merits a reproof: but I have this for
answer, that I'm but a young practitioner
in the press ; and because finding my self
obliged to conduct and pilot a northern
princess ashore, I laboured all I could to
bring her to the Borders, expecting some
others in readiness there to give her enter-
tainment. But I found my self defeated,
and this beautiful fair one neglected, not-
withstanding all ,the shores were crowded
with spectators, that viewed and reviewed
her modest approaches, yet none had the
manners to bid her welcome. However,
since she is come, I'll present her to the
angler that treads the shady tracts and beau-
tiful shores of Cam : together with the rest
of the fraternity of the rod, that ramble the
margin of famous Thames, Trent, Severn,
Owse, Tweed, Tine, Eden, Ask, Dove, Dar-
win, Tees, Yor, Air, Need, &c.

Now since no art more than angling ele-

XXVI

vates and advances the generous mind of the
contemplative angler, let me invite and en-
courage him to patrole the solitary streams
of Trent, if he purpose to undergo the toil
of the art, before he publish himself an art-
ist : for the practicks of angling won't ap-
pear legible, whilst the theory remains pa-
radoxically unintelligible, (here's a cypher
prick'd down instead of a figure) so that
should I emblazon or intitle my self an art-
ist, or a proficient 'of the rod, how can I
avoid running the risque of being reputed
ostentatious ? On the other hand, to remain
silent after the periods of forty years exer-
cise, every angler will censure me ignorant,
and my silence interpret me wilfully obsti-
nate. Thus I steer betwixt Sylla and Cha-
rybdis. But as I cannot impede or hinder
the thoughts or suggestions of any man, so
by the law of retaliation, no man ought to
hinder or ^misinterpret my modest resolu-
tions, when but to challenge the degree of
an under-graduate in the art. Nor have I
confidence to raise my ambitions higher,
than to superscribe my self an admirer of
the rod, and a lover of silent and solitary

xxvn

streams. Let my writings therefore remon-
strate my experiments, and my experiments
manifest my zeal for solitudes, and my na-
tural affection to the place of my nativity,
which can never be wanting whilst I'm in
a capacity to speak or write my name,

PHILANTHROPUS.

A

DEDICATION

TO THE

Gentlemen Plscatorians inhabiting in or near the
sweet Situations of Nottingham, North of Trent

GENTLEMEN,

IF to violate faith (though but with infi-
dels) we forfeit not only our reason, but re-
ligion 5 so not to dedicate some part of
my experiments to your ingenious society,
might justly prohibit me the freedom of
tracing your ^flourishing fields and fragrant
meadows, inamel'd with flowers, that per-
fume the beautiful suburbs of Trent ; upon
whose delightful banks I formerly used to
spend some solitary hours, in pursuit of the
scaly fry, and where the plenty and sweet
situations invited me not only to contem-
plate, but improve this mystical art of an-
gling : though it's true, the rudiments (in

XXIX

the minority of youth) were laid in Cam ;
yet silver Trent's orient streams graduated
my juniour experiments, by unfolding her
meanders, and making obvious the intrigues
of her rapid fords, replenished with variety;
nay so great variety of fish, that only to ex-
press it would almost bring truth into sus-
picion ; when from the more profound and
solitary deeps, the artist (if expert) may
summons up lucit, and the generous race
of salmon.

But, gentlemen, I am not angling now,
Fm only telling you those original motives
to this solitary (and piscatorian) science,
that grew up with me when an adult ; for
then I courted the shady streams of Cam ;
but Trent (as I told you above) gave me
education. To Trent therefore (and the
place of my nativity) I direct my influences,
let malice do its worst ; nor are they extra-
vagant notions, nor broken fragments, col-
lected from foreign nor domestick authori-
ty, but lineal and practical experiments and
demonstrations, drawn up and cultivated
by the mediums of art, and the exact me-
thods of observation ; which without vanity,
I dedicate to your Society inhabiting the

XXX

flourishing ports of Nottingham ; which
I doubt not you'l accept of, though not
much to inrich you ; however you may taste
of those solitary hours laboriously spent
in Great-Britain's Hellespont, (the famous
Trent) where I used to refresh my self, and
ramble up and down her delightful fords, to
gratify and satisfy others as well as my self
with the fruits of experience. So that should
I call sea and land Elizium, it's not alto-
gether improper so to do, since earth and
water compleat but one globe.

In those florid fields, near the fords of
Trent, I frequently wandred up and down
to crop the buds of experience ; yet I plun-
dred no man's orchard to enrich my arbory,
nor borrowed I other men's labours to adorn
my discoveries : the bounty of Heaven, that
always blest me with benevolent success,
restrained me from rifling the records of my
ancestors ; when to put a rod in my hand,
and place a river before me ; so that I should
offer violence to reason and art, if now to
consult the authority of others, when such
a large and legible folio to write by, as the
great and stupendous volume of the crea-
tion ; which to contemplate, interprets the

XXXI

divine practice of solitudes, and becomes
not only contributary to the present, but
the future generations.

To study contemplation is the high way
to heaven, where the suburbs consist of a
divine composition, and where you may
read by those oracles the stars, the beauti-
ful order of celestial bodies, and the great
and lesser world all harmony ; for heaven
and earth are correlates, which duly to con-
template, poises our passion, and baffles our
pride ; which necessarily pursues the foot-
steps of generation, as naturally as rust fol-
lows copper, which without dispute is the
death of the compound : consequently tra-
dition, if penitentially admitted, and igno-
rance opposed to the mediums of art ; there
uncultivated arts present no dispondencies,
nor need a man solicite reality in practicks.
But this I oppose, and confidently assert,
he that licks up the fabulous fiction of slip-
pery authority, to confirm his false and un-
tenable position, brings unsound arguments
to prop and support the slender faith his
opinion leans on ; whereby he exposes him-
self to clamour and reproach, and the cen-
sure of every judicious examinant.

XXX11

Give me leave therefore to remonstrate
my resolution, since the arguments and al-
legations in my book are my own. Yet had
I rob'd Virgil to adorn my muse, peradven-
ture my fancy had been more fruitful ; but
take it as it is, since so freely dedicated to
the Virtuosos of the Rod, from whom in
modesty I may reasonably expect some cha-
ritable censures of this my sober and con-
templative angler ; advising them to direct
to the gnomen of practicks, omitting theo-
ry, and the useless prescriptions of the an-
tients. Then shall no man need to grope
the invention of others, but manifest every
truth by plain demonstration. Thus far I
may safely sail under the angler's protec-
tion ; but should I write marginal notes,
and place them to the test of unpractical
anglers, beyond dispute I should split on a
rock, and wanting a pilot to bring me off, I
might live without hope, and die in despair ;
which I resolve against whilst capable to
write my name,

PHILANTHBOPUS.

THE

PREFACE.

COURTEOUS READER,

LET me manuduct you through the slender mar-
gin of my uncultivated book, to contemplate the
evangelical sweets of reason and religion, two re-
quisite and necessary principles for a Christian.
For since it hath pleased God, through infinite
mercy, to breathe into man a rational soul, where-
by he was made lord of all the creation, to govern
and conduct the creatures committed to his charge,
with respect of duty to his Sovereign Creator :
this capacitates man to act prudentially ; for im-
prudent actions proceed from rashness, and the
inconsiderate poize of reason. So to be religious,
ifs the Christian's corona, that enables him to
contemplate his present state and future felicity :
Which to accomplish, he must cruciate himself
with his thoughts and his lusts, and atrip himself
of all imaginary vanities, to ruminate how the

XXXIV

certain uncertain state of mortality in a moment
breaks up and terminates in death. And ifs re-
quisite it be so, since the body's solution displays
the soul's glorious ascension out of this elemen-
tary tabernacle of earth and clay ; whereby with
more vivacity she may elevate her self on the wing
of faith, by divine attraction) to those glorious and
invisible exaltations: which beatifical vision no
mortal tongue can well express, nor can mortality
conceive nor enjoy here, save only by a divine faith,
and a holy and heavenly speculation.

Now, how necessary is the study and practice
of Christianity, the true, noble, and the heavenly
birth ! For a Christian is such by regeneration,
and to be regenerate is a child of God ; and a
child of God is a saint here. For militant saints
in grace here, shall be triumphant saints in glory
hereafter, made beauteously to shine in the Neiv
Jerusalem, and ivear the royal badg of heaven,
and that's an immortal angelical crown ; to which
is affix 'd the diadem of the Divinest, in legible and
intelligible characters of the Cross. God in love
with his own image, beautifies and adorns the
soul with immortality, Ifs true, Heaven knows
no limit nor dimension ; but earth has periods.
With what circumspection, therefore, ought we to
travel through this mortal pilgrimage, to the sa-
cred temple of piety and devotion, where the bless-
ed sweets of eternity, are perpetually tasted by

XXXV

contemplating a preparation for death. And ivhat
is death but the key of eternity ? These and such
like pious considerations, lift up the standard of
the mind to the elevations of contemplation. For
if the progress of life be but one single scene of a
tragedy, of necessity the world must be the thea-
tre, life the prologue, heaven the design, and death
the exit. So not only to live, but to live well, im-
ports a well-dying ; and to die to sin, is to live
eternally.

Thus u'hilst premeditating the life of solitudes,
give vie leave to publish to tJie world this mysti-
cal art, and the intrigues of angling ; and because
animated by the mediums of experience, I thought
it argument good enough to gratify the age, and
reward the indust?ious with trophies of the art,
which indeed is the ultimate end and period of ex-
periment. Now tell me a better accommodation
than what naturally flows from solitary hours so-
lemnly dedicated to the Divinest ; ichen to dis-
course with birds in shady bowers, and converse
with fish in rivers and rivulets ; to obliterate the
icorld and vain conversation; so take our flight
as high as heaven, by divine faith and heavenly
contemplation : such a life as this explains the
angler not only a monument of patience, but expe-
rience : so that ambition can never be a bait to en-
snare him, that already is delivered from pride,
and the arrests of arrogancy. O, how sweetly

XXXVI

does such a man's habitation smell, whose enter-
tainment and salutation is the dialect of peace,
where every action, if thorowly examined, reads
harmonious lectures of concord and content, la-
bouring what in him lies to stand a distance from
this ambiguous world, whilst the world pursues
her flattering admirers, and such only as vainly
heap up accursed riches to perplex themselves,
and blast posterity. But I fancy, and it may be
but a fancy, that some prevaricating Zoilist will
arraign my hypothesis, and stigmatize anglers
(and the art) with those black blemishes of barba-
rity and cruelty, when only designed to Mil a fish.
To which I reply, that the creatures in the crea-
tion (by divine appointment) were appropriated
for use, and what may that use be, if not the re-
freshment and nourishment of mankind ? A.dam
had a commission from the King of Heaven, im-
powering him lord over all sublunary creatures :
Will any one question this privilege ? And Peter
was commanded to arise, Mil, and eat ; when
doubting with himself the legality of the thing,
who disputes this commission ? Noivfor any man
to question these divine truths, (except a Banian,)
he questions the Scriptures, the authority of truth.
The creatures in the creation (we must grant)
ivere designed for nutrition and sustentation ; yet
no man had a commission so large to take away
life upon no other account than to gratify his lust.

XXXV11

Then the next question arising will be, whether
the rod or the net is rather to be approved of? I
have only this to answer, (since both contribute to
health and maintenance,) the apostles themselves
they used the one, why then may not the angler
plead far the other ?

Thus far I enter the angler's list, and resolve
to encounter this critical age by promulgating
the series of the art of angling. But to shape
out rods, twist lines, and appropriate times and
seasons, with variety of waters, and sutability of
baits ; a# also the making of instruments, arming
of hooks, forming the accurate proportion of flies,
shaping of corks, staining of quills, forming of
swivels, and drawing out wiers, besides casting of
plumbs, and moulding of shot, I resolve against ;
for its nothing my business, though a task neither
intricate nor tedious to the several and various
artificers pregnant in the art. For that end you
may dedicate your opinion to what scribling pu-
tationer you please ; the Compleat Angler, if you
will, who tells you of a tedious fly story, extrava-
gantly collected from antiquated authors, such as
Gesner, Dubravius, 8*c. but I rather commend
you to famous Isaac Owldham, whose experiences
sprung from the Academy of Trent : so did that
eminent angler, George Merrils ; and as eminent
as he was John Fawlkncr, whose known abilities

XXXV111

to cultivate this science (both for direction* and
manuels) I modestly prefer before any other.

Yet how frequently is this art promulged by
mudlers, and under the plausible pretence of ang-
lers ? when upon examine you'lfind them deficient
in practices, and indigent in the lineal and plain
tracts of experience ; yet so fortified with confi-
dence and ignorance, enough, I declare, to make
an artist blush., if only but to hear them assert,
that from one river in a nation, all the rest may
be nationally understood : which preposterous im-
pertinent opinion, if I should not publickly op-
pose, it would seem to confirm and assign me a
confederate with the rout and rabble so ignorant-
ly opinionated. But I shall offer my reason, to
avoid the suspicion of an imposture, lest I be
thought to traduce my proselytes into the extreams
of an error ; otherwise I had shrowded my self
under a taciturnity, had not I dreaded the cen-
sure of other able and practical anglers, that in
reason may expect a replication from me. For
that end, I publish this Treatise to the world,
where my arguments are synonymous, connect to-
gether like links in a chain, in opposition to that
inconsiderate opinion, that by one river all the ri-
vers in England, 8$c. may be included for fish
and diversion. Which is alike probable, that an
orchard without cultivation, should produce fo-
reign fruit : or the Peak in Derbyshire^ should

XXXIX

•SH >/.<? gold instead of lead, or the minera of
oar.

Xoiv supposing this eminent difficulty resolved,
yet some will be solicitous to puzzle themselves
about baits and seasons ; so that I foresee it will
aggravate and fret their intoxicated patience :
Where note, such may search (as already pre-
noted] in the mouldy records of And rov an us, Du-
bravius, Gesner, or Isaac Walton, whose autho-
rity to me seems alike authenticity as is the gene-
ral opinion of the vulgar prophetick : for neither
all nor one of them is an oracle to me, experience
is my master, and angling my exercise ; yet mo-
derated so, that I don't always employ my self
with throwing in, nor haling out, as pochers do,
that covet more than their panniers contain ; this
makes the sweet of their labours unprofitable, when
the angler only designs diversion the final end of
his recreation. However, somewhat of this nature
is expected from me, otherwise the prejudicate will
conclude me ignorant, or affected with paucity :
but I shall prevent that suspicion, by publishing
to the world this Treatise of Angling ; wherein
the practices are manifestly divulged, though the
contemplative be but in part expressed. And what
hinders (I pray you] to withdraw sometimes from
the trembling si reams of Trent, to dedicate your
cacant hours to the shrines of solitude* ; to sit
upon rocks, or in shady groves ; there to content-

xl

plate the beautiful creation, and meditate our pre-
sent and eternal future state ; so with a holy and
reverential fear, call to mind the Creator and Ori-
ginal of all things, through whose wisdom kings
rule, and princes decree justice ? But doubting
some may want other moral inducements, to such
I have brought a glass of morality, wherein they
may view the world's state of inconstancy ; but to
the more religious and contemplative angler, a
model of piety, (Jacob will struggle hard for a
Messing,) where he may see the inamour'd and
seraphick soul surmount the cctlier, whilst earth-
worms like otters prey below upon fish.

Now to such as love travel, I have brought
them history, but to such others as love fish and
pleasant waters, my Treatise : for the studious
geographer, liere are cities and countries ; but for
the active engineer, castles and citadels. Should
thy fancy be mean, here are shallow brooks ; deep
rivers require the skilful art of swimming. Thus
my book seems a mart, where a man may trade
for trifles, or merchandise for things of greater
value. The world is all purchase, and death the
pay-master. Think not, therefore, to naturalize
earth into heaven, since every thing adheres and
partakes of its own nature. I advise, therefore,
the lovers of a solitary life, to study sobriety, tem-
perance, patience, and chastity ; for these divine
blessings are the gift of God, So is contempla-

13

xli

lion, which never shines so clearly as when retired
from the world and worldly incumbrances. Woods,
rocks, grottas, groves, rivers, and rivulets, are
places pictid out for contemplation ; where you
may consider crcational work, and melt with tJie
warbling notes of Philomel, and the innocent har-
mony of musical birds, that deliciate the air, and
delight the attention . Or you may proportion your
meditations with the pulse of the ocean, or the soft
and murmuring complaints of purling streams,
that imprint their j)(^sions as they pass along,
ic hen melting the smiling florid banks.

Nature consults no artificer to imbellish and
adorn her illaborate works ; and shall the God of
Heaven, the great Creator, draw his lines from
the faint shadows of nature ? Pray, but consider,
who makes the sea keep her regular motion, the
constellations their rotations, and the erratick stars
roll in their several orbs ? Are not all the reins of
government in the Divine Hand of him that made
them ? Is not the Christian's diadem, and the pur-
chase of the Cross there? liberty and freedom
there ? the sweet tranquillity of peace there ? the
blessed society of saints and angels there ? jus-
tice and mercy there ? the results also of life and
death there ? and where shall ive be found if not
there, in those everlasting arms of beatitude, that

rt our souls by the divine ray of contempla-
tion ''

xlii

Study patience, practise humility ', and let re-
pentance be our daily exercise ; since these with
other vertues, are duties incumbent. Then may we
sing hallelujahs at an angelical pitch ; and that's
a strain above the worlds Ela. These, and such
like divine impressions, we ought to imprint on our
immortal minds, when with impatiency we pursue
our exercise, either to the river, or solitary lough.
For the taper burns, and the thread of life (be-
cause lapd up in this fine tiffany web of mortali-
ty] like a meteor terminates sometimes in a blaze :
Too late then to confer with reason, or think of
religion. Sofarewel, and be happy in the rules of
friendship ; but happier to live in the amiable
arms of vertue, ever honoured, and admired, by
thy friend,

PHILANTHROPUS.

xliii

TO

MY BOOK

Go, tell those men that bait their hook with gain,
That plow the Hellespont, and cross the main,
To fish for gold in ev'ry muddy pit,
And hourly wait for ev'ry paltry bit ;
That make their shops the fishponds, and the fry,
Knacks of all sorts, to catch the standers-by ;
That trole with silver hook, but use no rod,
And freely strike, perchance the line but nod :
That use no other links than such as are
Composed of golden threads, not stone-horse-hair :
Such mudling anglers, all the baits they lay
Tempt nothing more than arguments of clay.
Not well considering, all this while they paddle
In Craesus wealthy ponds, their eggs prove addle.
For when they come to scale their fry, and cook,
Ev'ry surprize reach'd them with silver hook ;
They must conclude more fin than fish was caught,
'Cause ev'ry action proves an empty thought.
Come, trace the angler's footsteps, he will lead
Thy genius to some grove, or rock : there feed
Thy thoughts with contemplation ; whilst most men
Think such retirements but a cave, or den :
And I'll assure thee when thou com'st to know
Those vertucs that from contemplation flow,
Thou surely wilt conclude the whole creation
Was made for man ; man, but for contemplation.

PHILANTHROPIC.

xliv

TO MY HONOURED FRIEND,

CAPTAIN RICHARD FRANCK,

UPON HIS

Contrmjlatfue angler.

I AM no fisher.
But a well-wisher

To the game :
And as oft as I look
And read in your book,

So oft I blame

My minutes spent with frothy recreation,
Whilst others live aloft by contemplation.

It's true, sometimes I read
In Cambden and Speed,

And sometimes Mercator :
Yet in them I can't spy
How the scaly fry

Floats in the water.
We grant those anglers were elaborate
To fish the world ; but you the anglers state.

JOHN RICHARDS.

xlv

TO MY WORTHY AND HONOURED FRIEND,

CAPTAIN R. F.

ON HIS

Contemplatftoe

SIR, you have taught the angler that good fashion
Not to catch fish with oaths, but contemplation.
No man that's wise, but out of good intention
Will hug your plot, and well-contriv'd invention.
To take the fowl, and fowler let alone ;
That's not the killing two birds with one stone.
But he that catches fish, and fisher too,
Has done as much as man or art can do.
Honour's the bait for one ; but silly flies
Are mortal engines for the scaly fries.
And he that thinks to scape the present danger,
Fastens himself, thinking to noose the stranger.
For one or other's still catch'd in the net,
When politicians have the pool beset.
And haling to and fro, to fill their dish,
Lites on a chub perchance, or some such fish,
That dies without redemption, unless he
Amphibion-like, can live by land, or sea :
But in the calms of silver silent Trent,
There's no such danger in the turnament.
For you may fish till sun-set, nay all night,
Find but your gamesters a fresh appetite ;
And that a bait will do, when you would court
Your game ashore, that dies to see the sport.

MERCURIUS HEKMON.

xlvi

TO MY HONOUR'D FRIEND,

CAPTAIN R. F.

AUTHOR OF THE

Contemplative 3n0Iet%

I KNOW, ingenious sir, that Sol's bright rays
Make tapers useless ; so will be my praise
Of this your Angler, for what I express
Can nothing add to that illustrious dress :
Except in this, as colours dark, we know,
Cause brighter colours far more bright to show.
The garb it's clothed in, indeed is rich ;
Made up of neatest ornaments of speech ;
Graced with most pleasant fancy, and the flowVs
Of purest elegance, picked at such hours
When you have sat to hear the Muses sing
On the sweet banks of the Castalian spring :
Adorn'd with most curious observations,
Joined with most sober contemplations :
Things both divine and moral, and withal
Pleasant descriptions geographical :
Full of ingenious variety,
Mixt here and there with dainty poesy.
So that there's scarce a line throughout the book
That is not furnished with its line and hook,
With which the reader will be caught, wheii's eye
Is searching how to cheat the scaly fry.
Ladies will make it their companion,

xlvii

And learn by it to fish in Hellicon.

Who, when that their fair eyes shall chance to view

Your active fancy, will with haste pursue

After the same, to see its utmost flight ;

And so involve a progress of delight.

Kerens nothing to offend their eyes or ears,

Nor fill their tender breasts with dismal fears.

No horrid plots, nor base conspiracies,

Nor noise of arms from Mars his nurseries :

No fields of blood, nor air disturbed with tones

Of harshest discords sent from dying groans.

Arnoldus and Theophilus will lead

Them in more pleasant paths : They now may tread

On Scotish ground with pleasure ; for that place

Looks brisk and fair, since you have wash'd its face.

'Twill please them when they do behold the state

Of this new structure bravely situate :

And then immediately they"! fall in love

With that alluring and delightful grove ;

And those harmonious birds that sit and sing,

Whilst evVy pretty purling pleasant spring

Doth murmur as it glides, and loth to be

Deprived the sweets of such societie.

Here may be found those vertuous harmless sports,

That far transcend the vanities of courts.

Here may be seen each huTs majestick brow

Smile on the amorous valley that's below.

Here may a man enjoy such pleasant naps,

As poets have upon the Muses Japs :

Whilst gentle Zephyrus from rosie lips

Sends whispers, which through fragrant bushes skips

Upon the gentle streams, that glide away

Whilst lambs do bleat, and pretty fishes play.

xlviii

And thus through paths that strewed with content,

You bring the reader to the silver Trent,

Upon whose fertil banks methinks I see

Apollo's darlings making melodic :

Led by your fancies thread from their own spring,

And in delightful tones sit sonneting :

Who when they mention you in their sweet lays,

May th' angler eccho your deserved praise.

JOHN SLATOR.

xlix

TO MY HONOUR'D FRIEND,
CAPTAIN R. F.

AUTHOR OF THE

Contemplative

ATLAS IVe seen, and I have read your book,
Where ev'ry argument's a line and hook
To catch the curious reader ; let him throw
But to surprize the fish, he's surprizM too.
For whilst in shady streams the anglers watch
To catch the fish, the silly purdues catch'd.
Nay I have seen, when I have seen you spread
The trembling streams with neither silk nor thread,
That you with horse-hair upon throwing in,
Has fish surpriz'd that never wagg'd a fin.
Mussles in Trent, I've seen them leave the water,
And swim ashore as if 'twere them you sought for.
Cheese after meat prohibits other dishes,
And after shell-fish rarely other fishes.
Now anglers look about you, whilst you draw
Your game ashore, and preach the common-law
Of destiny, as if it were a favour
To sentence death beyond all good behaviour :
You know not but your selves in project may
Be angled for, whilst you devour the prey.
If so, the fisher with the fish takes share,
And both alike their fortunes equal are.

RICHARD JOHNSON.

THE

AUTHOR TO THE POET.

IT'S true, you do allow a man may fish

In Trends calm streams, and complement his wish,

What then ? were Trent all fish, without content

Fd neither covet fish, nor value Trent.

The glorious eye of speculation differs

From airy things that's hung about with ciphers.

It's not the man that's rich, it is the mind

That makes him happy 'cause if s unconfinYl,

Riches remonstrate horrid shades of night

The day puts off, which Phoebus puts to flight.

And fear our flight pursues, so that where e're

We lodg our fears, death he brings up the rear.

But solace and content, is such a thing,

And so divine ; it's great Jehovah's ring,

With which he weds the world, to make earth's portal

The celebration of things more immortal.

For heaven and earth in unity repose,

From thence our contemplation sweetly flows.

The great and lesser world's all harmony ;
The spheres are vocal pipes, man's but the key,
That when Jehovah's fingers touch to play,
The ravish'd soul shakes off this mould of clay ;
And hov'ring with her wings, at last makes flight
Unto those endless cords of true delight.

PHILANTHROPIC.

Northern Memoirs,

Calculated for the

Meridian of SCOTLAND.

Wherein most or all of the CtttCS,

Castles, jForte> JFortresses,

and JRitMiet$> are compendiously
described.

Together with choice Collections of various Dis-
coveries, Remarkable Observations, Theological
Notions, Political Axioms, National Intrigues,
Polemick Inferences, Contemplations, Specula-
tions, and several curious and industrious In-
spections, lineally drawn from Antiquaries, and
other noted and intelligible Persons of Honour
and Eminency.

To which if added

C&e Contemplative anb Iprarttcal angler,

by way of Diversion. With a Narrative of that dextrous
and mysterious Art experimented in England, and per-
fected in more remote and solitary Parts of Scotland.

By way of Dialogue.
Writ in the Year 1 658, but not till now made publick,

By HtrfjarD jfranck. Philanthropic.

Plures necat Gula quam Gladius.

LONDON,

Printed for the Author. To be sold by Henry Mortclock, at
the Phcmx, in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1694.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

OF THE

CITIES, CITADELS, &c. IN SCOTLAND.

WITH

THE CONTEMPLATIVE ANGLER.

Theoph ilus. IT was in April, when every bough
look'd big with blessings, and the florid fields
and fragrant meadows, (adorn'd with green,) sent
forth their sweet and redolent perfumes to re-
fresh the universe. Chanticleer then gave the day
a summons, and the early lark, earlier than the
sun, salutes the air, whilst blushing Phebus
paints and gilds the azure globe, whose celestial
influence, (by refulgent magnetism,) blest all the
world with prolifick blessings ; so that the whole
creation began to vegitate, and every vegetation

2 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

sent forth sweet aromas ; the birds began now to
build their nests, and every bird to choose his
mate ; whilst the groves and delightful springs,
as also the forests and unfrequented desarts, ce-
lebrated the fragrant spring; when the frigid
congelations of frost and snow were all struck
dead by thfr blazing fiery strokes of the sun.

Arnoldus. What infer you from these pretty
metaphors >

Theoph. I infer thus much : — The vernon
ingress smil'd a blessing, when she sent the me-
lodious harmony of birds to melt the air. The
nightingale with her warbling notes, the black-
bird, thrush, linnet, and golden-jay, besides
the canary and delicious bulfinch, fill'd all the
woods with their solitary strains ; and because
beating the air with such proportionable har-
mony, every bush became an aviary, and every
grove a mellifluous concert, whilst the purling
springs, and more shady rivulets, softned by
the gentle breathings of Zephyrus, seemed
tacitly to express a secret, whispering, silent
praise.

Am. To whom ?

Theoph. To whom think you ? Unto Jeho-
vah the great Creator.

Arn. Very well exprest ! Proceed.

Theoph. Things thus posited, under such a

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 3

rectoral governance, my reason and all my fa-
culties were excited to contemplate the excel-
lent beauty of this stupendous creation ; but
above all, when to consider man lord of this
creational work, and invested with power to
conduct the creatures, and intrusted with the
cargo of the whole creation ; this, I confess,
was very surprizing, when but to conside him
in a natural state, and compare him with the
excellency of celestial beings.

Am. What observe you from thence ?

Theoph. I observe him complicated, and com-
pounded of elements ; and elements of them-
selves they drop in sunder.

Arn. But what if you take him translated
into a state of grace and regeneration ?

Theoph. Why, then, I'll grant the first death
is past, and the second death shall have no power
to hurt him.

Arn. So far you'll grant him to excel all crea-
ted beings.

Theoph. Yes. But not as he stands in a na-
tural state.

Arn. Do but consider him a living monu-
ment of praise, inrich'd with all the endowments
of natural perfection, besides those eminent qua-
lifications of piety, which intitle him excellent,
and confirm him a creature adorn'd with all the

4 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

signal marks and shining characters of this stu-
pendous creation.

Theoph. Why so ?

Am. And why not so ? Does not the lion
and the leopard, with the tiger, wolf, panther
and vulture, pay their veneration to him ?
Does not his very aspect confound the eroca-
dile ? And, with one superficial glance of his
eye, he mortifies the basilick. Consider the
composure of his face and features, together
with the delicate frame, and his well composed
fabrick of body. Do not these present him a
composition of majesty ? Surely it does ; for all
the creatures honour and adore him, which de-
monstrates him a monarch, and of such a princely
soveraignty, that the whole creation pay their
services to him.

Theoph. You wilfully misinterpret me, or
prevaricate your own judgment, by taking
wrong measures. That dignity and vertue (you
sum up) that formerly shin'd as a ray about
him, is now become a cloud, a promiscuous
cloud to obscure him.

Am. How can I mistake myself, when, to
consider him in a most eminent state, and such
a capacity of beauty and excellency, that the
maz'd world think him more than a monarch ?

Theoph. They may think what they will of

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 5

his primitive state, but convinc'd by experience,
he is not so now. It's true, the time was
when all the creatures, with a solid submission,
humbled themselves before him ; but that was
then in his state of innocency, in Eden's fair
fields, before transgression, before he unhappily
found out the art of sinning ; then and there it
was they paid their veneration, but do they so
now ? We experience to the contrary ; for the
beauty and majesty of that glorious image was
so macerated and torn by the talons of sin, that
it has grown up since to a flood, to deluge pos-
terity. This act of disobedience divested our
protoplast, and influenced his successors so, that
every generation since Adam has laboured un-
der the same predicament ; for that dethron'd
Adam in Paradise, disinherited us and Adam's
posterity ; there it was man lost his prerogative,
and here it is sin makes us less than men.

Arn. Can one single act in our protoplast so
vacate the royal grant of prerogative, to ener-
vate the conduct of succeeding generations?
Surely no. The glorious act of government
shines universally in man, and will so to the
succeeding generations. The whole creation
was placed in a posture of servitude to Adam,
as he himself stood a subject in obedience to his
Creator. So that, if I rightly understand crea-
tional work, the great end was to discover hid-

6 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

den things and manifest ideas, with the conse-
quent of production of their various species. So
that, under submission, I may as rationally con-
clude, that the creatures in the creation have
now, as then, a natural right to bend their sub-
missions to man's princely soveraignty.

Theopk. I very much doubt it ; for no sooner
Adam lost his prerogative, but he felt a trepe-
dation invade all his vitals, and his soul began
to blush within him, because afrighted with the
aspect of sin, that at a distance presented him
the picture of death : now the same death that
strangled him, strangles all his posterity. Thus
it was when Adam lost his government, and
thus it is with us when governing imprudent-
ly ; for, till then, the creation was unacquainted
with disguise ; nor, till then, did the creature re-
linquish his authority, till he relinquished his
primitive simplicity.

Am. What happened then ?

Theoph. There happened a change in all the
creatures, because they perceived a change in
their conduct ; where note, ever since that gene-
ral revolt, the creatures have been cautious to
repose a trust under mortal protection, because
destitute of power to govern himself.

Am. Will you deny man a soveraign power
and divine right, to intitle himself universal
monarch ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 7

Tkeapk. That is not the point in dispute. I
have already granted that Adam's divine graces
sprung spontaneously from the refulgent ray of
the majesty of God. But what is that to us ?
Can we restrain our hands from blood, and our
hearts from malice and precogitated sin ? Now>
every man knows the reward of sin is not death
simply, but divine justice ; and divine justice
bars out all the footsteps of mercy.

Am. That's undeniable ; however, I'm con-
vinced, that could we but govern our own irre-
gularities, our passions, our ambitions, and ex-
orbitant desires, we should shine like stars (among
men,) and seem, in some sort, almost immortal.
Theoph. That word (almost) was well put in.
But to the argument as to point of government.
If unlike Christians we govern ourselves, we ta-
citly slide into the inconveniency of slaves ; and
such we may suspect ourselves to be, because
to sink under the weight of every single temp-
tation, by which means we sully all those excel-
lent privileges that adorned our protoplast in
his primitive state.

Am. What state, then, must we call this, a
state of apostacy ?

Theoph. You may call it what you please ; for
every man is in a state good or bad ; but worst
of all is that state that lifts up its hand to rebel
against Heaven : Such were the giants in the

8 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

days of old, and such are we now, because over-
grown in sin. How often have we violated the
authority of our commission ? — and how often
have infringed the liberties of the creation ? Now,
in the primitive state, there were no such pro-
ceeds ; for then the creatures flew as naturally to
Adam's hand, as terrified now they fly from ours.
The turtle then was heard in every grove, now
they coo nowhere except in aviaries ; — all the
families of birds then fill'd the air, now they are
compell'd to whistle in cages ; then they ex-
prest their gratitude with demonstrations of
joy — now they lament their destiny, because
doomed to die. This was the golden age our an-
cestors liv'd in, but it's the iron age we live in
now. For innocency, in effect, is almost lost,
and it's well if we lose not ourselves.

Arn. However, I cannot yield to this conclu-
sion ; that Adam's commands were so torn and
macerated, that surviving posterity should ne-
glect their obedience ; for if, when to consider
how many generations have travelled through
the map of time, (from our ancestors to us,) and
time you know informs us of experience, — how
rational is it then to conclude (but I only offer
it for argument sake) that, was Adam repos-
sess'd of paradise again, and premonished of sin,
(as we are daily precautioned,) whether or no it
might not be thought to raise a circumspection

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 9

in him, to evade the serpent, the sin, and the
woman's temptation ? Into this opinion most
ages have crept ; and our modern assertors and
predicators approve on't.

Theoph. That's a point beyond my sphere ;
I meddle not with why may nofs ; however, I
allow you a privilege and freedom of thinking
or saying what you please ; but then you ought
not to circumscribe bounds to another. How-
ever, this I assert, that such was the original
purity of Adam, in his state of innocency, that
his graces then shined with heavenly rays, and
heaven we know is all generosity. But every
generation since Adam has so diminished that
beauty and lustre, that from men we are almost
dwindled into morts.

Am. Ay, but, my friend, have you well con-
sidered how that the formal fabrick of man's na-
tural body, doth represent unto us the world's
epitome ? Why not then by the glorious spe-
culation of his mind, (under a renovating and re-
generate state of grace,) he may represent some-
thing of the invisible glories ?

Tlieoph. You come near to the point. Did
not the generations more and more degenerate ?
But this, beyond precedent, has outdone all the
rest ; for, by offering violence against all that's
good, will at last offer violence against itself;
and this is but just by the law of retaliation.
Am. Why so ?

10 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theoph. Because, so vehement in the pursuit
of sin, we outdo our ancestors — and what's the
conclusion ? Adam, you see, was made an exile,
and compell'd to relinquish the sunshine of pa-
radise— he was forced to sit down under the
shades of Mesopotamia ; but we renounce both
law and gospel to monopolize the world and ag-
grandize posterity. This is now our deplorable
state ; compare it with Adam's, and give your
opinion.

Am. My opinion in short is, Adam comes
short of us ; for, as he was the father of all his
posterity, so, as father, we patronize all manner
of impiety. Now, I have given you my opi-
nion, how do you approve on't ?

Theoph. I'll sum it up thus. Whilst Adam
stood in purity, his beauty shin'd without de-
formity ; so that by the will of the divinest, had
he kept his station, posterity had never been
doom'd to die by the cold and icie finger of
death.

Arn. O, Theophilus ! that one single sin should
so deform him, that was elevated and exalted
above the beauties in the creation !

Theoph. Just so it happ'ned to that bright
star Lucifer, (and his aspiring conspirators,) whose
ambition dethron'd him, and so it will us. He,
striving to get above that that was super-excel-
lent, lost that excellency the Supreamest had
given him. So we, placing our affections on ex-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 11

teriour objects, we but inamour ourselves with
our own similitudes. Judg of the consequence.

Am. Is the law of nature a standing rule or
no ? If it be a rule, it ought to be obeyed ; for
it is natural in kind to answer kind.

Tkeoph. Can nature, as nature, exert our zeal,
to stir up in us the lively act of Faith ? Surely
faith is no part of creational work ; it's rather
a bough or branch that buds up from regenera-
tion. The excellency, therefore, of the things
that are, are not of themselves, but dependent
on some other, infinitely more glorious. Such is
the Creator.

Arn. He that made the world had no need of
assistance ; but all things that are made were
made by him alone. Creational work, therefore,
was discovering hidden ideas, and making invi-
sibles to appear visible.

Tkeoph. God, the Creator, made himself ma-
nifest in time, by his glorious act of power in
creating ; who, by his eternal wisdom and pro-
vidence, upholds it that it drops not asunder.

Arn. That's manifest by the eye of sense ;
but he that sees by the eye of faith, sees beyond
the creation, for he sees the Creator ; and, in see-
ing him, he sees his Redeemer.

Theaph. Why then struggle we so hard after
superficial knowledg, to defeat ourselves by the
dull prospect of sense ; for if, when to create in-

12 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

quietudes in ourselves, we labour and toil with
unprofitable anxiety,?

Am. What but the curse anticipates the bless-
ing ? Man and the creation were made in time ;
and time was drawn out by the wisdom of God ;
but the understandings of most men, different-
ly discerning, differently distinguish, till time,
the harbinger of eternity, eats out his character,
so translates him to the shades of his silent se-
pulchre.

Theoph. What infer you from this ?

Arn. Solomon was a man inspir'd with wis-
dom, and endued with understanding ; and God
gave him eyes to foresee the vicissitude and re-
volution of times and states.

Theoph. Solomon had a divine soul, incorpo-
rated with humane nature, whose ambition, (if
proper to say so,) coveted wisdom rather than
wealth, and God answered his desires. In that
day Solomon was the Jewish oracle ; but every
day is the Almighty's holy-day, and time arid the
world like a globe in his hand. Consider, there-
fore, the same excellency of spirit Solomon had
hovers still over us, like a glory about us, and,
by divine permission, over every generation. —
But, because falling short of Solomon's know-
ledg (and divine speculation,) we do not, as So-
lomon, all alike discern.

Arn. Grant the argument admits of no con-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 13

tradiction ; yet you will find it a task difficult
enough to study the art of self- resignation.

Tlieoph. Solomon, you grant, he refused wealth
for wisdom. But what think you of Saul, that
went as far as Endor, and rak'd up the ashes of
the dead to enquire a victory ?

Arn. I think the case different, both in na-
ture and quality. The one chose wisdom, but
the other witchcraft ; so to connect them toge-
ther draws on a false conclusion,

Theoph. Then the consequence follows. Saul's
reasoning with flesh and blood, as it was im-
pious— so his application to sorcerers and necro-
mancers was also diabolical ; who, to accomplish
the end of his conspiracy, consults not Endor
only, but the brood of infernals.

Arn. He did so, who denies it ? I know what
you'll alledg, you'll tell me the tree is known
by its fruits. I grant all this, and what then ?
yet I dare not interpret Saul a son of perdition.
God's mercy never wants wings to fly to the
disconsolate penitent, whose mercy super-excels
his divine acts of justice. Therefore, judg not
Saul, lest we judg ourselves ; when, by the heart
only, things are legibly construed.

Theoph. It's true, the heart made legible dis-
covers a phenix or a vulture ; the first living,
(as Hippocrates says) and the last dying ; so that

14 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

neither physick nor philosophy can make mortal
immortal. There's neither energy nor excellen-
cy in the superficial form. Vertue lies conceal'd
as a jewel in a cabinet. No man, therefore, can
be read by his species.

Arn. To grant your conclusion, proves the
thing less difficult in knowing others, than to
search within to know ourselves. Solomon had
wisdom and divine discoveries ; and Saul had
courage to encounter the Philistines.

Theoph. That authority that tolerates Solo-
mon to have wisdom, the same authority con-
cludes Saul inquisitive after witches.

Arn. Admit it does, (what then ?) that power
that gives life a being, is indisputably more
noble than the thing that has life. God created
the world, and by wisdom animated it with
life ; so that life shines everywhere, in every in^
dividual. This is manifest to every man, and
every creature, that breaths in the creation.

Theoph. This I agree in ; but I can't recon-
cile myself to your opinion, that Solomon and
Saul's case run in parallel lines. Lucifer and
Michael, though stars of the first magnitude, yet
they paid not equal adoration to their sovereign
superiour.

Arn . I don't question but you will grant that
nothing has life of itself, but from something
3

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 15

else that's eminently superiour. That the world
is governed by Divine Providence, and that
every beginning is destinated to death in time.

Theoph. All this I grant— what infer you
from thence ?

Arn. I infer, and observe, you are somewhat
too severe in censuring Saul's sin, by the rule of
your judgment unpardonable. Now, for one
man to take upon him to judg another, he be-
trays his rashness, because his judgment is not
infallible.

Theoph. I know where it pinches, you'll hinge
upon mercy.

Am. I must tell you that God is a merciful
judg, whose mercy, as recorded, is above all
his works ; and a mystery so sacred and secretly
conceal'd, that angels themselves dare not pry
into it. How then shall man discover this ad-
mirable arcanum of mercy, when lock'd up in
the secret cabinet of heaven ? Let us not assume
such previous conjecturals, but rather consult
and expostulate death, since death is the wages
and the reward of sin. Man and the world ter-
minate in the arms of death, because they alike
consist of elementary principles ; but death will
be found the extinguisher of life, except that
life that's lighted by the torch of regeneration ;
that life will outlive the second death.

Theoph. But you'll agree in this, that a vi-

16 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

cious man living (and reigning) in sin all the
days of his life, his life may be taken for a living
death.

Arn. I'll comply with any thing except cen-
soriousness ; for that end trumpet not Solo-
mon's praise too loud, least the eccho resounding,
ecchoes ostentation. On the other hand, not to
hope an indemnity for Saul, we straiten God's
mercy, which is infinitely boundless. So let's
leave it to the Judg of all the world ; for if the
world be left to determine this case, she'll de-
nounce a false judgment, because of her partial-
ity. Nay, she may be suspected uncharitable
too ; and such are we, if children of the world,
because subject to err by the rule of instability.
Theoph. You bear hard upon me, yet I'm
loth to give up the cause ; there's little or no
difference in the length of our weapons ; but
this I'll say, so drop the argument. Solomon
was an oracle of wisdom and learning, and the
blazing star that shin'd in Jerusalem. And
Saul was a king, and the first king in Israel ;
but then he was that king God gave in his
wrath, which was soon after removed, for David
stood in Saul's way.

Arn. So did Uriah in his, when inamoured
on his wife.

Theoph. But David was a prophet, and a
man of God ; and Saul was censured for his im-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 17

pious exorcisms, as if the tincture of regenera-
tion was obliterated in him.

Arn. God forbid that the sting of sin should
be so venemous a poison, that no antidote can
cure it ! Did not the Lord of Life die to con-
quer sin, and death, and hell, in every believer ?
Let us be so charitable as to parallel Saul with
Sampson, who had his Dalilah, as Saul had his
Endor. Here we read, that David found re-
pentance after the prophet's reproof; and Samp-
son had his satisfaction upon the lords of the
Philistines. These two had their pardon seal'd
before death ; and fain would I be so charitable
to conclude so of Saul.

TJieoph. Ay, but Saul's fault is writ in capi-
tal characters.

Arn. That's instituted for our admonition,
and the reformation of succeeding generations.

Tlieoph. O, Arnoldus ! the generations to
come will abominate this, that inflames itself to
set the rest of the world on fire.

Arn. Then let them burn and consume one
another ; for lust and pollution augment the
flames.

Theoph. Do not all the nations and king-
dom s about us exhaust their treasures to indulge
themselves, and devote their services to the hy-
pocrisy of the times ?

Arn. It's rare (to a miracle) to find faith

£

18 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

amongst men, especially such as daily expose
conscience to the wreck of opinion. And he
that makes a god of his belly devotes all his ser-
vices to his luxurious appetite. Thus, men, as
by machination, traduce one another into the
devil's school, to brazen themselves against the
modesty of a blush, lest sin should be thought
to be shame-fac'd. And others raking up the
embers of revenge, fire themselves by quench-
ing the flames.

Thcoph. So let them. But what's all this to
our angling design ?

Am. Stay a little till we come to the water-
side : In the meantime I have a question to
put, and that's this; How comes it to pass
that the hinge and poize of politick states move
and turn about with such rapid motions, that
kingdoms and potentates are dash'd in pieces ?

Theoph. The naturalist, we see him consult
natural causes, and the judicial astrologer, pla-
netary events ; but the more religious devotes
himself to the providence of God. Is there not
a time for frost, and a time for hail ? a time for
rain, and a time for fair weather ? a time for re-
volution, dissolution and death ? and all these
times and various changes are exercised by Him
that holds the poize and balJance of government.
That naturalist, therefore, that concludes a divi-
nity in celestial influences, does but grope in

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 19

the dark ; and the astrologer pins his faith upon
other mens sleeves.

Arn. You tread upon the heels of my former
assertion.

TJieoph. What if I do ? I hope not to hurt
you. The Prince of this world rules in the air,
insinuating himself into the heart of man, from
whence comes war, and the rumours of war, as
rapine, ravages, murder and blood. Does not
pride strut up in the face of piety, and hell pre-
sume to justle heaven ? And can good and evil
(think you) run in parallel lines ? No, Arnoldus,
I perswade myself, this age lives within one step
of destruction, were it not upheld by an Al-
mighty Providence.

Arn. O the subtilty of man's heart, that no-
thing but arrows from the Almighty can reach
it!

TJieoph. He that reads his own heart, with-
out a perspective, reads all the world ; but to
know God is life eternal, and that's more than
the world knows, because wanting the key of
knowledg.

Arn. Man is like a ship in a turbulent sea,
where every wave threatens him with death,
and every gust of wind one step to his grave.
How mindful, therefore, ought he to be of well-
living, which answers the ends of well-dying.

Theoph. Divinely alluded ! Man, therefore,

20 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

by how much the more honourable he is than
the rest of his fellow creatures, by so much the
more nobly and divinely ought he to be exer-
cised in the piety of Christianity and self-resig
nation.

Arn. This is good advice, but still methinks
I see a storm coming ; not that I prognosticate
another revolution ; no, no, rather a desolation
by sword or famine, for sin, like a granade, tears
up all before it, and rips up the foundation of
kingdoms and commonwealths.

Theoph. It is true, sin is the original cause of
all national calamity, and there is no satisfaction
for sin, but the death of a Saviour. The cross
must purchase the crown : the old man must die
to seal the regenerate birth. What have we to
do but consider the transitory state of things, and
the stability of that that gave them a being ?
Here's nothing but rumbling and jumbling
about us, till He come, whose right it is to reign,
and subdue all monarchs, and make their thrones
his footstool.

Arn. By this prophetick discourse, methinks
I smell a strong scent of invasion. But where
the storm will fall, God he only knows. Are
not the nations about us like an acaldemy of
blood, that darkens the air, and terrifies my pen
to write such dismal and tragical apprehensions ?
Will not the sword, plague, and famine, contend

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 21

for victory ? O how sad will it be to see the fa-
ther fall by the dint of sword, the mother crawl
by the infected walls of a pesthouse, and the
poor innocent and comfortless infant perish in
the streets, and pine away with hunger ? Three
such merciless and unsatiable conquerors, and all
to keep the field at once, will totter the strongest
camp in Christendom.

Theoph. Then where's our security, and what
signifies the strength or the artifice of man, when
God has a controversy with the kingdoms of the
world ? The Christian's arms then will prove
the best security. He that cruciates his lusts,
outlives the vice of impiety.

Arn. What then becomes of him that throws
vertue into the embracements of vice, and pros-
titutes justice before every clamorous derider ?
that lifts up the standard of impiety, to justle
religion, and profanes the altar by superstitious
adorations ? that mounts ambition on the theatre
of luxury and hypocrisy, and opposes the Gos-
pel and Divine Oracles to humane tradition, and
the vain imaginary inventions of men ? that in
defiance of heaven opens the portals of hell, and
advances the curse instead of the cross ? What
must we conclude from such dreadful conse-
quences, but that God will tear the nations in
pieces ?

Theoph. There was a time when the law

22 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. .

shin'd bright ; yet at the same time the Gospel
shin'd behind the horns of the altar ; (but in this
our time neither law nor gospel shines ;) the Di-
vinest then had his residence in the Sanctum
Sanctorum ; but hell is let loose now, and hea-
ven violated with oaths and imprecations.

Am. The times were bless'd in those halcion
days, when our patriarch Jacob was clothed with
innocency ; but in this our day we are all turn'd
Esaus, to pursue the world and inconstant va-
nities : And though no gospel-star then shin'd
amongst them, nor was Christianity known in
their courts ; it's well if we that are Christian
professors live up to the practice of sound mo-
rality.

Theoph. We read in the Sanhedrim, that the
seed of Hagar stood in opposition to the seed of
Sarah. But Abraham's God will dwell in tents,
rather than in temples with the Prince of this
world : Yet Rachel had her idols, who adds sa-
crilege to idolatry, by taking away, (or stealing,)
those of her fathers.

Am. When the Turk turns Christian, there's
hope the Persian will fight under the banner of
the cross.

Theoph, Then he'll be fit to turn Roman
Catholick, to stamp the cross on every service,
and vengeance with a simiter on the breasts of
Protestants ; to immure their proselytes betwixt

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 23

stone-walls, so starve them to death under pre-
tence of sanctity ; and because not to die a vio-
lent death, the anchorite fancies he dies not
at all. Is not this a fine way to mortify the
flesh, when at the same time they'll surfeit with
fish ? that grope in the dark at noon-day, and
hold up a taper to illuminate the sun ? that like
spiders, they'll unravel their own bowels, though
it be but to entrap a silly insect.

At-n. I look on the hierarchy of the Church
of Rome, like men that encounter a blasted fate :
Where priests are saints bells, but defective of
sound ; and oracles at the altar, but dumb in ex-
planation ; that kindle their tapers to blaze in
the temple, and consecrate sacrifices without a
blessing ; so cover their nakedness with a Baby-
lonish garment : Where mattins are metamor-
phosed into masquins, collects translated into
collations, and St Anthony's bells into nocturnal
cabals. These are the men that can mode reli-
gion, and dress it up to humour the times.

Theoph. Religion of late is very much dis-
cours'd, and after some sort crept into most
men's mouths ; but least in practice of any thing
practicable. If they tell you that Asians are
Athenians, you are bound to believe them ; and
that Turks are Christians, you cann't disprove
them, since France and the Port have been con-
federates. Nay, there are some blear-ey'd Ro-

24 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

manists, under pretext of Christianity, will swear,
that to worship images is no idolatry. And some
others of such voracious appetites, that they'll
eat the horse and digest the stirrups. And some
amongst them (I speak what I know) are never
satisfied till glutted with spoil, which exposes
every man to the lust of his adversary, whose
power is as equal to restrain his w'll, as the body
to refrain from drought in a fever.

Am. I make no doubt on't, we have Coper-
nicans amongst us, that can fancy the earth, as
the orbs, turn round ; so rapid are the minds of
some in this adultrous generation, to be winding
and turning, till He comes that will overturn
and dissolve the elements like ice in warm wa-
ter ; so melt down the creation with one single
blast, and strike that dead that violates his regal
commands. The all-glorious beatifical star of
heaven's high tribunal is already risen in our
earthly horizon, which virtually lifting up itself
by magnetick power, lifts up our souls also by
a magnetism of Divine sympathy, whereby we
shall ascend above these muddy cisterns of earth
and clay, to blaze aloft in those illustrious and
most illuminated mansions of beatitude and
eternity.

Theoph. I grant what you say. There are a sort
of men that flatter themselves with self-right-
eousness, and shape out condemnation as a re-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 25

ward to others ; that can spy the mote that de-
forms their brother's eye, but the beam that
shades their own is no impediment. Thus some
gaze at their own pageantry, and too frequent-
ly answer their own petitions ; that say to them-
selves, all is well, when nothing's well but what
is ill ; that live so near the portalls of death, as if
there were no death in dying. Such men as
these think the sun shines blessings no where
but in their chimney-corners ; that build their
habitation upon a sandy foundation ; that judg
and pre-judg both moralist and heathen, (that
rather deserves their pity and charity ;) and cen-
sure all the world, when they themselves cann't
live without it.

Arn. What crazy props such men lean upon,
that exchange their profession for profit. If
Christ be our foundation, let's believe as Christ-
ians ; not barely to honour the appellation of
Christianity, but live the life and practice of
Christians, otherwise we build on a sandy foun-
dation, that sinks beneath the surface, or tumbles
down in the storm. We daily observe the earth
a fix'd body, yet it bears not the heavens, nor
itself neither ; because it hangs by poize of its
own, and the providence of God supports it.
For our blessed Saviour that made the world, is
the support of the world ; for none less than he
that made the world, had power to redeem man,

26 NORTHERN MEMOIRS

and save the world. This is the water of life
that's drawn from the inexhaustible fountain of
Christ our Redeemer. This is the true Physician
of life, that blots out the dismal characters of
death. Thus, whilst the formal Christian draws
streams' from the muddy cisterns of the ambigu-
ous world, his devotion reaches no higher than
himself, and the gaudy titles of ambition and
hypocrisy.

Tlieoph. Shall I oblige Arnoldus to entertain
us with a contemplation of seraphick joys, whilst
the silent night passes away, and the blazing
torch of the sun appears, that causes an early
blush in Aurora.

Arn. Every day has a new birth, but time
and the world had but one beginning. The
night was made to shadow the day, but the sun
to light and illuminate the universe ; and this
was ordain'd by the wisdom of Him that stuck
the stars in this beautiful order, before whose
triumphant throne the devout penitent pros-
trates his devotion, and pours forth his orizons
and sweet adorations in the presence of that
great and ineffable Good, that made the glitter-
ing spangled orbs, and is himself the light of the
world ; before whono every nation and kingdom
must bow or break ; whose mercy infinitely ex-
cels all his works, and whose justice and judg-
ment who shall dispute ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 27

Theop. O Arnoldus ! pray go on.

Arn. The elements, nay the heavens contain
him not, nor is he comprehended within the cir-
cular globe of the spherical orbs. These lumi-
nous bodies of sun, moon and stars, were ordain-
ed by him to light the creation ; for he that
made them gave them a being, and dignified
them also with prolifick virtue, adapting them
parents of vegetation, procreation, and prolong-
ation of life, whereby to regulate and reform
times and seasons ; as also to distinguish betwixt
summer and winter. The greater light he made
to govern the day, but the moon he made to
patrole the night ; and that they have influence
upon secondary causes, no man is so irrational,
I hope, as to question it.

Theop. For my part I do not ; pray proceed.

Arn. Thus the stars and constellations have
divine order and influence ; and the celestial
powers and principalities, as angels and arch-
angels, thrones and vertues, have dominion also
over humane frailties. And where the patriarchs
and the prophets are with the apostles and evan-
gelists, with the whole quire of saints, cherubims
and seraphims, perpetually singing praises and
glory to him that sits on the throne, and rides
triumphant on the wings of the wind. O let the
silent deeps and the ponderous mountains, with
every thing that has breath, praise the Lord !

28 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

For the earth is his, and the fulness thereof; by
whose wisdom the world was made, and time
begot ; and by whose infinite power the separa-
ted elements live still in harmony ; who form'd
the fetus of earth, and made the firmament its
swadling-band ; and in the vast circumference
of heaven he hung up the glorious creature the
sun, whereby to illuminate and illustrate the
world ; whose centre nor circumference contains
him not ; nor the excellency of his glory that
super-excels all creatures and creations ; from
whom the deplorable sons of men wail for de-
liverance and redemption from sin.

And now let's contemplate the nocturnal
Muses. Sleep first presents us with an emblem
of death ; yet is it the poor man's solace, though
the rich man's terror ; a repose and recreation to
the wearied limbs, but a disease of inquietude to
the voracious mind ; the body's requiem, and
death's effigies. Now death is the desired hope
of him that truly contemplates the state of im-
mortality ; and as mortality is the end of sor-
row, so by consequence it's the beginning of
joy ; a period of misery, but the trophy of vic-
tory ; the resurrection of life, and the bloomings
of eternity. For as the barren ground thirsts
after rain, so does the oppressed seek deliverance
in death.

Great and good is our glorious Creator, whose

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 29

divine excellencies super-excel the creation ;
whose infinite wisdom di splay 'd itself before
time and the world had as yet a beginning.
Pardon my presumption, most sovereign Power,
when to prostrate my humilities before thy sa-
cred shrines, that with a holy reverence and di-
vine piety, all my devotions may be acceptable
to thee. We are but finite, but thou art infinite
— infinite in power to create the world, and infi-
nite in wisdom and providence to uphold it.
Thy government is in heaven, yet thou rulest
upon earth ; but thy habitation here is the ta-
bernacle in man.

O sacred Divinest ! direct us in thy paths of
wisdom, to lead us the ready way to thyself;
for thou rewardest every man answerable to his
works, and our works (as Paul saith) do certain-
ly follow us ; then will they as certainly be an
orb to environ us ; and because an object conti-
nually before us, we can neither evade nor shake
them off, whereby they'll delight or be a ter-
ror unto us. " As the tree falls, so it lies ; and
in the grave there is no repentance ;" therefore
seek the Lord early in a spirit of meekness, for
the meek are said to inherit the earth, whilst the
proud that exalts himself shall be abased. Thy
powerful arm has often reached deliverance ; the
righteous, therefore, shall rejoice in thy salva-
tion ; and all that sollicit thy paths of peace,

30 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

shall be found in their duty as by wisdom di-
rected ; but destruction as a judgment is pre-
pared for the scornful : Therefore let the pious
rejoice in his hope, for the end of the wicked
shall be an abomination.

Lord ! when we contemplate our mortal state
below, and those invisible immortal powers
above, blest for ever to behold the glory of thy
majesty ; it brings us to consider the beginnings
of time, and to ruminate where we were when
the foundations of the world were laid and
stretch'd out ; and who but thyself (by infinite
power) fastened the ends thereof, and lifted up
the curtains of heaven's glorious canopy, and
caused the face of the firmament to shine ? Who
but thy admirable arm could separate light from
darkness, the sea from dry land, and confine
them with barrocades of rocks and sand ? Who
made those stormy winds to blow, and those
boisterous hurricanes, (the rage of the Almighty)
so tempestuously to roar, and roll themselves
on the face of the deeps ? O what hand, except
the Divinest, could make mortal immortal, and
bring salvation from the loins of Jesse ! Can the
shades of darkness speak the wonders of thy
praise, or the night discover the eye-lids of the
morning, that when the sun prepares his course
like a giant, will the clouds clap their hands,
and the stars and constellations shout for joy ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 81

But the dead shall arise, and mortality shall be
clothed with an immortal livery, that shall never
tarnish, nor never diminish, but survive and out-
live the ides of time, and flourish when time
shall be no more.

Then let us consider our present state, the
shortness of time, the vanity of things, and how
light all our services and best performances weigh
in the ballance. Let us also consider the morn-
ing star ; the illustrious Aurora is rising upon us,
and then it will be a perpetual day. Let us im-
print on ourselves the characters of our eminent
ancestors ; but above all, the lively sufferings of
our blessed Saviour on the cross, and no longer
paddle in these puddles of sin, nor stumble in
the face of the sun at noon-day ; for wounding
ourselves by sin, makes our Saviour bleed afresh.
We have excellent precedents, that of David,
notwithstanding his integrity, and that other of
Solomon, tho the prince of wisdom ; of Heze-
kiah too, though a very good king; of Josiah
and others ; of Paul, a convert ; of Peter, a de-
vout reluctant ; of Job's patience, Moses his
meekness, Abraham's faith. All these were men,
(besides hundreds more in holy writ) now emi-
nent saints, whose pieties like so many trophies
hang up aloft in the new Jerusalem, to adorn
that beautiful and divine habitation, where the
Lamb is the light, and where no darkness can

32 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

approach, nor night close the casements of their
eyes any more, nor the pale aspect of death the
second time seal the indenture of a profound si-
lence. Consider it seriously, for piety is good
policy ; and a holy, devout, and penitent life, no
impediment to a vertuous Christian : And so
good rest, Theophilus, that sleeps in silence.

Theoph. Silent I am, but riot asleep ; nor do I
dream when I contemplate the everlasting praise
of the great Creator. How quickly has the
night dismantled herself of those shady sables
that covered day, and concealed the flaming
steeds of the sun, when advancing to approach
our northern horizon ?

Arn. Come then, let us rise, and shake off
security ; for as sleep is no solid direction to
point out to us the way to heaven, so death
(tho at a distance) is no long reprieve (nor as-
sured protection) from the grave.

Theoph. Our former ancestors lap'd not them-
selves in downy quilts, but made the earth their
common reception. But this age degenerates
from potentates to pedan ticks ; and carnally de-
vote their services to every idle and voluptuous
fancy. Do we not see with what eagerness some
men pursue all dishonest actions, whilst some
others, under the consideration of riches, hug a
conceal'd joy in their ill-got treasures ? where-
by they contrive the calamity of the poor, and

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 33

at the same time rejoice at the misery of the or-
phan, whose morsel they swallow down as greed-
ily as they devour the widow's habitation ? Thus
some contrive calamity, and sin by whole-sale,
magnifying their ambitions more than men,
when at the same time they dwindle into morts.

Am. But if beginnings have periods, as cer-
tainly they have, the poor will rise up in judg-
ment against such ; and a jog of conscience, be-
sides the consequence of blood, attend their
door. Their favourites and familiar flatterers
then will dismiss themselves, and vanish like a
mist, and the dark night qf horror overshadow
all their enjoyments : Their delicate and delect-
able morsels will melt into moonshines, and them-
selves transform'd into dust and ashes. This is
the lot, and will be the fate of all those that per-
vert blessings into profane impieties. But I for-
get my self, for the sun appears, and the day will
suddenly gain ground upon us ; let us arise and
fit ourselves for a solitary march.

Theoph. We shall soon be ready, it's only dis-
mounting our apartments to mount our horses.
What shady groves are those, and what wan-
dring object's that, that courts the sycamores,
and talks to the silent rocks, as if there were a
remorse in stones ? Surely it's Agrippa.

Am. I'm of your opinion, what makes him
there ?

34 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theop. I know not, except he's come to sum-
mons us home.

Arn. Pray examine him ; I think it's thrice
three months since the last time I saw him.

Theoph. Shall I call him to us?

Arn. Prethee do.

Theoph. Agrippa, from whence comes t thou ?

Agrippa. From the flourishing fields in Al-
bion.

Theoph. What's the news there, this is an
age of inquisition ?

Arn. So it is ; have you brought us any thing ?

Agrip. I'm no competent judg of the times,
nor of national affairs ; but I'll present you with
some books and letters.

Arn. Have you no scheme of modern trans-
actions ? nothing verbal ?

Agrip. What can be discours'd of the times,
and the various projects of men of the times ?

Arn. Recollect your memory, and refresh
yourself; but when the sun advanceth the me-
ridian, repair to that solitary grove, where Theo-
philus with me, will stay your coming ; be sure
you disappoint us not, and bring your narrative
of all the proceeds.

Theoph. I question not he will be very mind-
ful.

Arn. Come then, let us chat a while, and dis-
course Rome divided among the Romanists.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 35

Nay, what will you say to see the church look
asquint at the Pope, and Portugal to lift up his
heel to kick against his elder brother of Spain ?
It's madness rather than manners to hear them
wrangle and jangle about religion, when there's
nothing left on't but bare opinion ; which if you
won't conform to, they'll stamp the character of
a stelletto upon you, or the bloody impressions
of an Inquisition.

T/ieoph. What, no better entertainments in
the Spanish Court, than such rough salutes as
inquisitions and stellettos ! I should rather ap-
prove, that vertue in a Prince is the richest dia-
dem in his crown ; and clemency to his subjects
(the vital part of his kingdom) more obliging
than all the gilded baits of flattery. Money, it's
true, is the sinew of wrar ; and honours and
dignities gaudy accomplishments. What of all
this ? when all comes to all, honesty is the best
policy.

Am. Let me tell you, Theophilus, gold chains
best become great men, but not that gold makes
goodness, nor dignity greatness, any otherwise,
than a badg of honour makes a man truly ho-
nourable ; nor is honour more legitimate than
inherent worth ; both spring from one root ori-
ginally, and live above the smiles or frowns of
fortune. Nor can such a man be perverted that
hates the nauciating scent of a parasite, that dis-

36 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

claims against pensioners that pick his pocket,
and abominates sycophants that fawn and flatter,
and seem to adore the rising sun ; yet with im-
patience longs to see it set. Not but that no
sun shines without some cloud, nor any court is
kept without some flatterers, till that time comes
(and I hope is at hand) that vertue shall naturally
flow from the streams of piety, (and not from
imitation,) which spontaneously spring from the
celestial fountains of pure Christianity.

Tkeoph. When Democrasians dagger the
crown, then the perplex'd native stands a tiptoe
(every minute) expecting some fatal event ; and
so it is, when insolency justles justice, then the
magistrate suffers affronts in his legal justiciary
proceeds. Such scorpions as these wound and
infect the body politick.

Am, From thence I observe, whenever pride
is most predominant, there of necessity a nur-
sery of war is planted, that in time will murder
the blessings of peace. We have learn'd by ex-
perience, that fulness of bread (without a bless-
ing) perverts into wantonness, so into a curse,
that by degrees grows up into such a vice, that
murders all it meets with, and kills without
care ; it's a vertue therefore to shun its acquaint-
ance.

Theoph. Come, Arnoldus, let us enter this so-
litary grove ; here we may dwell among rocks,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 37

consort with the creation, and keep time with
the pulse of the fluctuating ocean. Here we
may refresh our ears with the relishing notes of
tunable birds, and astonish our eyes with the
beautiful model of heaven ; where, whilst we
gaze on those glittering orbs, our hearts, as in-
spired, may breath forth flames.

Am. A solitary life I always approv'd of, to
trace the polite sands, to sit down under the
shades of woods and rocks, and accost the rivers
and rivulets for diversion, (as now we do) and
trample on the beautiful banks and florid me-
dows, beautified with greens, that will not only
refresh our senses with their redolent perfumes,
but enamour us beyond express, when to see
their banks bath'd by such silver streams. Come
and let's pitch our tents in these delightful plains,
where every shady grove as an umbrella, will
shelter us from the scorching fiery beams of the
sun, till the earth sends forth her sweet aromas ;
over which the burnish'd and beautiful firma-
ment of heaven surrounds all the earth (and the
blessed creation) with melody like birds, and
murmuring streams ; I fancy it a kind of coun-
ter paradise for mortal content. And how sweet
and sublimeis that contemplation that surmounts
angels for divine associates ! Observe, Theophi-
lus, that little rowling rivulet, where every eye
may evidence fish in those purling streams court-

38 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ting the sun, as if naturally enamoured with stars
and celestials. Such observations flow from our
present state, let us therefore consider both the
Author and the end.

Theoph. If ends and beginnings have a like
fate and period (as indisputably they have) then
time and our latter end contemplates eternity
our future hope ; so that a retired life, of all lives
in my opinion, will be most agreeable to our
present condition ; for I like not the aspect of
our friend Agrippa.

Arn. Nor I neither ; but be it what it will be,
the rocks and the woods, if I calculate right, shall
contribute to Arnoldus ; any man may read in
legible characters a discontented frown on his
martial brow.

Theoph. What if it be ? it won't make new
breaches in our loyal breasts.

Arn. Nor cement old ones ; for here's a breast
ready to receive the charge of danger, tho death
be conduct. I value not the swellings of my
adversaries, were every one of them as great
as Goliah, as deep-mouth'd as the Cyclops that
roar in Mount JEtna, or as formidable as thun-
der, that cleaves the cedars and the sturdy oaks ;
yet the shrubs may escape, and live in hope to
see a purgation of such eminent contenders.

Theoph. If ill omens presage fatal conclusions,
I like not Agrippa's aspect.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 39

Am. Nor I that resolution, that only endea-
vours self-security.

Theoph. Would you have me turn the point
upon myself?

Am. No, nor your friend neither, by turgid
repetitions ; come what will come, let's talk no
more on't : high tides have their low ebbs ; and
the higher any man rises, the greater is his fall
expected. 1 know the world is such an inviting
morsel, that, attempting to swallow it, some have
been choaked. Alexander, of all men, bid fair-
est for the world, yet, when he went out of it, a
sepulchre of six foot serv'd to inter him.

Tlieopk. It's just so now ; have not we a sort
of senators, that, impatient of destruction, pull
down the house upon their own heads, to noose
other folks in the same snickle ?

Am. There's nothing can stand against the
rapid torrent of a giddy multitude ; it's good to
stand clear of male-contents, that justle superiors,
and call Parliaments pick-locks, and robbers of
the people, under the pretence of publick faith.

Tkeoph. Such Furiosos, 1 must confess, are
of an odd kidney, that can silence justice, and
sentence the laws ; that sit uneasy under go-
vernments, tho of their own contrivings ; that
are angry with any thing that's uppermost ; nay,
they shall arraign themselves, if no superior to
contend with : Such men, I question not, will

40 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

condemn us for victims, tho without breach of
law, or affront to good manners.

Am. That can never be done by any, except
such as exchange their loyalty for luxury, that
degenerate from native English men, and re-
nounce their oath in baptism ; that swear they
do not swear, and be religious to boot. But the
great acts of former famous men, will live upon
record on the stage of the world, whilst the world
has a being ; more especially such great actions
as drew life from vertue : Such heroes we have
had (but asleep now) whose memories still blos-
som, and after death smell sweet in the dust.

Theoph. What then ? must we despair of our-
selves, as poor silly birds do that are seiz'd in a
gin, and wait deliverance from the wretched
fowler, as if death would solace our captivated
fears, and refer them and us to the grave for re-
conciliation ?

Am, I am not ignorant that the rape of a
sword results in a scar, and amputates sometimes
to the loss of a limb, lest peradventure the whole
body be hurried into a fever ; for the sword, you
must know, is death's cold harbinger, that de-
populates kingdoms, and lays countries in waste,
sucking the lives of the subjects and treasure of
the nation, till at last, like a cripple, it creeps to
its grave.

Theoph. But what if the banks overflow with

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 41

plenty, and the nation superabound with luxu-
rious inhabitants, may not a war in such case be
thought requisite to purge the kingdom of su-
perfluous vagrants ?

Am. Where excess and intemperance extend
the veins by surfeit or pleurisy beyond their na-
tural bounds, it's better to bleed than blow up a
kingdom.

Theoph. I'm of your opinion in that matter :
in all acute distempers, there ought to be ade-
quate and expeditious expedients : but, without
offence, may I ask you one question ?

Am. Two, if you please, if I can answer them.

Theopli. Why those signal interruptions so
oft invade you, that seemingly discover some
odd apprehensions ?

Am. If they do, what then ? is it more than
the consideration of distracted times ?

Theoph. Sooner may the tides forget their
natural course, than I forget to sigh a penance
for my native country.

Am. But then, have you considered the pas-
sion of such corrumpant grandees, that think
whole kingdoms gobbets not great enough to
gobble down, to satiate their appetites, till com-
pleatly made victorious over life and fortune ?

Theoph. The only way, then, to stop the glut
of such furious drivers, is to interpose ourselves,
whilst others more innocent escape their fury.

42 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Am. You almost perswade me into a kind
of pity.

Theoph. Or rather, it may be into a passion.

Am. That's a sin entail'd on posterity, as na-
turally as wax subjects it self to the impression
of a seal ; so that, should I call affection passion,
it but represents a moral glass, wherein every
man may read his own face by reflection.

Theoph. And no sooner to retrieve or with-
draw, when immediately he forgets both form
and features.

Am. Then let all suspicions suspend them-
selves ; so steer your course to some other point,
and call Agrippa from behind that sy com ore.

Theoph. I'll step and call him : So ho, Agrippa.

Agrip. What voice do I hear in those unfre-
quented woods and solitary streams ? Diana's
fountain, nor was Dodona's grove, otherwise
than an emblem of such mortal contents ; what
rivers are enrich'd with trout and salmon, and
trees burdened with the harmony of birds ; for
such a life, who would not covet banishment ?

Am. What news, Agrippa, from the coast of
Albion ?

Agrip. We have a generation of people, that
can make as good Papists to morrow, as them-
selves are Protestants to day ; that if Popery were
but turn'd up trump, would produce you their
charter in Queen Mary's days ; they'll walk to

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 43

church with you, and lie in her bosom so long,
till they sting both her and you to death, which
makes all mankind stand a tiptoe to see a totter-
ing government sink, and press down itself under
its own weight.

Arn. What ! have the grandees no influence
on the people, are they grown void of natural
affections to themselves ?

Agrip. What charity they have for themselves
I know not ; but this I know, they have none
for one another ; nor will they contribute one
single sigh for the kingdom's calamity, but ra-
ther shove the burden upon the peoples shoul-
ders.

Arn. This is forty one all over : O, the mise-
ries that forty one brought upon the nation !
(thus some cry out,) but not a word of the wick-
edness of the preceding years that brought the
misery upon forty one. Those barbarous stig-
matizings, brandings, gaggings, pillorings, whip-
pings, cutting off ears, like lopping of trees, op-
pressive judgments, unheard-of proceeds by the
High- Commission, and Star-Chamber-Courts ;
judicatories fitter for the Spanish Inquisition,
than free-born Englishmen and Christians ; by
which means, liberty and property were invaded
at pleasure.

Tlieoph. I remember what King Ahab said to
Elijah the prophet, " Art thou the troubkr of Is-

44 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

raelT' And I remember what the prophet replied
to the King, " No, but thou and thy father' s house
are, in that ye have forsaken the commandments
of the Lord, aud followed after Salaam." Here
we see the king charges the prophet, and the
prophet he charges the king ; but the prophet
proves the charge upon him.

Am. This was the case in forty one ; the king
demands some of the members of the house, and
they return'd the king for answer, It was a
breach of privilege of the house ; but if his ma-
jesty pleased to order a charge against them,
they would proceed to speedy justice.

Theoph. Was it in forty, or forty one, when
the king with an army invaded the Scots, and
spent his money to little purpose ?

Arn. Yes truly, it was about that time ; for
then was the massacre calculated for Ireland,
and Archbishop Laud's publication of his Book
of Sports for the profanation of the Sabbath in
England : here you see prelacy and policy went
hand in hand together to murder religion and
property, which brought them under the seve-
rities of justice.

Theoph. Ay, but how came the king to be
made a publick example ?

Arn. Not because he had married with a Po-
pish princess, that gave great encouragement to
the Papists in England : Not for sending a con-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 45

gratulatory letter to the Pope ; not for abdica-
ting himself from his parliament ; nor for advan-
cing his standard royal at Nottingham, and pro-
claiming open war against his subjects. There
was something under his own hand appeared
against him, besides countenancing Papists, and
protecting delinquents from justice.

Theoph. The Scots betray'd him, (I have
been told so) every body says they sold their
king.

Arn. As much as you sold him : it's true, the
king threw himself upon the Scots, and the
Scots threw him back again upon the English ;
this is matter of fact, but few understand it, and
fewer mil believe it.

Theoph. For the love of friends, let us have
truth whate're it cost.

Arn. The naked truth is ; the parliament of
England about that time, when the king at
Newark threw himself upon the Scots, owed or
was in arrear to them L. 200,000 Sterlin, for
service done ; for which they had for hostage,
Newcastle, Carlisle, and Berwick upon Tweed ;
but upon paying them one moiety down, they
resigned their hostage, and withdrew into Scot-
land, tendring the king to the English com-
missioners, who at that time had no instructions
concerning him, till they sent to the parliament
to know their further intentions, who ordered

46 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

the commissioners to apply themselves to the
king to know his royal pleasure.

Theoph. And what was his answer ?

Arn. He desired to be removed to one of his
southern palaces, in order to which they remo-
ved him to Holmby. But the jest lay here, the
English without instructions could not take

See Ludlow's ^™5 an(^ ^ne Scots by instructions
Reply to would not take him : this was the cri-

Hollmgworth.

tical time when nobody would have
him ; and the reason the Scots gave for it was
this : That he had made such breaches in the
bowels of England, they were unwilling to take
him into the bowels of Scotland. This is the
truth on't, and this is the Scots selling their king.
But where's Agrippa? what have you done with
him ? And I would as gladly know what our
proud superiors intend to do with us, except to
spin out our lives with the wealth of the na-
tion.

Theoph. Agrippa, shall I ask you one single
question? Whether is best, a petty king in
every county, or a parochial bishop in every
classis, to ride the people but half way to
Heaven ?

Agrip. I approve of neither ; though some
oppose a single person to an eye- sore in the
kingdom, and at the same time conclude a

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 47

Heptarchy more than enough totally to devour
them.

Theoph. Such a government would enervate
the people, and such superiors live upon the
spoil of the country.

Am. Is this the present state of things, and
the project that prevails in every man's head ?
What, is their no trimming nor neutrality left
amongst 'em ?

Agrip. Yes, there's enough of that, and soli-
citations for peace among sober men and me-
chanicks.

Am. But what say the people as to church
government ? Is one religion or more in fashion ?

Agrip. Religion is made a meer stalking horse,
to answer the ends of every design, and worn so
threadbare, that there's nothing left to cover it,
save only the name on't. It's true, there's some
small alteration in the church, so is there in the
state, by a late purgation ; the army also is de-
cimated, and it's thought the mystery of law will
be made legible, to speak our modern dialect :
but the priest paramount is the bravest fellow,
because Presbyter John struts a horse-back,
whilst the proselyte like a pensioner holds the
bridle ; but to speak plain English, most hold
the stirrup.

Arn. What say Mercurius, and Publicus An-
glicus ?

48 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Agrip. You have them both, and the National
Diary to boot, where you may read the various
products of men, frequent tumults in every cor-
ner, general discontents in families ; heatings,
but no healings, in their grand consults.

Theoph. What do they vary for ?

Agrip. Something superlative ; but the gene-
rality cry, tempora mutantur.

Theoph. By this I perceive some dig deep to
hide their counsels.

Am. Deep or shallow, it's a tiffany plot ; any
man with half an eye may easily see through it :
who is it cries up peace, only those men whom
the times court, and the Constitution flatters ?
such men as these may cry up for peace, while
others sollicit an every day's novel : No,Theophi-
lus, there's nothing pleasant, every thing seems
in a hurly burly ; and France and Spain at
sword's point.

Theoph. O, but then what becomes of our force
in Flanders? and what prospect have we of the
Sweeds expedition ?

Am. The Sweed you may read looks asquint
on the Dane, the Portugal in trouble, the Ve-
netian unsafe, and the Turk infested with in-
testine war. Poor Europe, who can but pity
thee! more especially our native country Al-
bion, where every politician expects to be made

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 49

a monarch ; and where every ambitious clown
aspires to the eminency of a crown.

Theoph. Xow for a book and a brook, to con-
template and recreate ; this rises to the standard
of the philosopher's solitudes. Rocks and rivers
with hermetick groves, shadowed with myrtles
and purling streams, will, for ought I know, bet-
ter answer our present occasion, than a foreign
hope can insure us accommodation.

Arn. These elementary bodies, the beautiful
rags of flesh and blood, what present they but
moving shadows, that vanish in a moment at
death's appearance ?

Theoph. And do not some men undermine
themselves by supporting themselves on the
crutch of mortality ? But the arm that shakes
the foundation, cannot that arm shelter us from
the storm ?

Arn. Yes sure, since he that made the world
gives it nutrition, who by his act of providence
makes provision for its continuation. Yet there's
nothing that had a beginning, but has its period,
and in conclusion melts into invisibility.

Theoph. That's certainly true, for the wages
of sin is death ; all men therefore must die, so
must that proud tyrant of France, whose sins
above knee-deep have sunk him up almost to
the chin : so that whoever comes within com-

D

50 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

pass of his steerage, he splits the vessel, or in-
evitably oversets her ; exposing his natives and
others to a malicious fate : therefore how diffi-
cult it is to sail betwixt Sylla and Charibdis ?

Arn. And as difficult almost to weather the
times at home ; for whenever a state stands a
tiptoe, the common people are threatned exiles.

Theoph. I would not be thought so rash to pre-
anticipate before trial ; nor would I truckle to
uneven tempers of men and times, by a supine
complacency, so to be coaks'd out of my life by
the sugared temptation of designers.

Arn. Unthinking men, whilst the storm is yet
rising, rise before it, so fool away their lives :
he that falls in with a discontented family, pro-
pounds to build on another man's ruin. The
divine powers shake the arm of flesh ; and what
is too difficult for God to do? He that made
the world, can throw it down and dash it in
pieces.

Theoph. Yes sure, and us too, if we stand
within distance (I mean in his way of justice
against impenitents.) O my friend, let's remove
further off.

Arn, What star must direct us ? and whither
must we go ?

Theoph. Into the solitary shades of Scotland ;
for every eye will trace us out here.

Arn. What ! so unjust to ourselves, to fly

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 51

without an offence ! so condemn ourselves be-
fore trial ! when our own innocency, I should
think, were enough not only to clear us, but al-
so to protect us.

TheopJi. Time's vsandy glass slides swiftly into
eternity ; and so may some of these eminent
contenders slip into their graves. That wind
blows high that makes our fortunes stagger.

Arn. Nor could thunder shake the courage
and constancy of David to Jonathan : Here we
have for precedent two of the worthies in that
age, the one no less than a king and a prophet ;
and the other no less than the son of a king.
Come, let's stand the charge, there's no man
knows what a day may bring forth.

Theoph. Yes, I'm so prophetick to foresee a stone
doublet, or something worse ; why then to con
tribute such advantages to men of no faith? Nay,
I wrong 'em not, to say faithless to themselves.

Am. On the other hand, who would harbour
or engender fear, which lively prefigurates a
faint repulse, that never got honour by inches ?
so that I resolve against preparing for flight,
and alike resolve not to think of fear.

Theoph. Such resolutions will stem the tide,
and struggle with death ; but who can with-
stand the torrent of invaders, or stifle a mutiny
that invades the camp ?

Arn. I should forfeit both my reason and dis-
10

52 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

cretion, to foresee danger approach, and run head-
long into ruin ; want of foresight (not to forsee)
argues to me but a purblind sight : and that re-
solution I always approv'd of, that's best under-
stood by a constant courage ; the morals of equi-
ty justify a cause, and the justness of a cause
puts a period to doubts.

Theoph. The Supreamest gives wisdom, and
man a capacity to choose it ; which, if he re-
fuses, it argues an irreverend neglect, both of
the donor and the gift.

Arn. Do we not see nature commissioned
from the Divinest, to dress up and beautify this
stupendous creation; and how Wisdom and Pro-
vidence give a blessing to preserve it ? and do
we act our reason to throw both away, Wisdom
that made us, and Providence that preserves us ?

TJieoph. It's true, the limit and bound of na-
ture, is by the sacred decrees of Providence; and
wisdom has no limitation, because essentially
from the Creator himself.

Arn. Art imitates nature, and necessity is the
mother of invention ; science also invites to study
and practicks, but theory gives the prospect, and
operation finishes the project. From whence it
follows, that arts are sold to ingenuities, and the
reward of labour and industry to experience, and
the promulgation of health and maintenance.
-What tho Caesar and Pompey contend for an

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 53

empire? Alexander Magnus bids fair for the
world.

Theoph. I have waded to the chin in the
practicks of experience ; but never attempted
knee-deep in the rudiments of politicks.

Arn. And 1 have liv'd under various dispen-
sations of Providence, by the divine power and
protection of the Divinest.

Theoph. Nectar and Ambrosia have fill'd my
cup almost to an overflowing ; while my asso-
ciates were the pious and the penitent, (but not
the politick,) with Apollo sometimes to bear a
part, with musical instruments that never spoke
treason ; this is a life that lives above the world.

Arn. O, the heavenly raptures that flow from
contemplation ; they'r enough to raise the mind
by divine faith, and a holy speculation, to the
very suburbs and portals of Paradise.

Theoph. And such is unity, for it's the key of
harmony ; which, if but touch'd by the divine
finger of the great Jehovah, how quickly the
world is put in tune.

Am. And quickly out of tune, where policy
is planted in the room of piety. Now, I always
thought piety the best policy, when beautified
with the ornaments of true Christianity. For,
since God himself has blest man with reason,
and to his rationality added intellectual under-
standing, let us act above sense, for that enslaves

54 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

us ; and once enslav'd, we're captivated with
fears.

Theoph. Were I a wise expositor, I should
interpret this sentiment by the rule of travel.

Arn. And whither would your fancy direct
you?

Theoph. Into the very centre and bowels of
Scotland.

Arn. What would you propound to your self,
when there ?

Theoph. The exercise of the rod, and learn to
fish.

Arn. And who shall instruct us ?

Theoph. Our selves ; who should ? You shall
be my tutor, and I'le be your pupil.

Arn. Must I be didactick to initiate this art ?

Theoph. No man (than your self) knows it
better.

Arn. If so, you must arm yourself for angling
encounters ; for I best approve of a resolute com-
bitant, whose conduct and courage equally strive
against all vicissitude of fortune, and smiles when
at the precipice of danger. Such a man bears the
triumphant standard of constancy in all difficul-
ties, and doubtful uncertainties.

Theoph. Are lectures to be read in features ?

Arn. Are lovers by sympathy capable to feel
those amorous flames that scorch their hearts in
each other's breast ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 55

Theoph. If that axiom be true, my breast has
burnt long enough.

Arn. With what?

Theoph. It may be with passion.

Arn. And it may be with suspicion.

Theoph. Let all suspicion (and the nature of
it) be for ever suspended.

Arn. If that be your resolution, give me your
prospect.

Theoph. The flourishing fields, and the plen-
tiful streams in Scotland.

Arn. Shall we ramble the Highlands ?

Theoph. Ay, and the Lowlands too ; for lie
hazard my fortunes with my friend, and share
in his adventures.

Arn. Is that your resolution ?

Theoph. Yes, that's my resolve ; I must con-
fess, I had rather go than stay.

Arn. Stay, then, and lie go with you.

Theoph. Why, now, Pm answer'd, doubts can have an end ;
And so have mine, since lodg'd in such a friend
To nature, human learning, sense, and reason ;
Compounds of purest peace ; no plot, nor treason
Harbours in that calm breast, where Art and Science
Bud up like twins, and bid a bold defiance
T Ignorance and Prophaneness ; let thy lot
Be what it will, and see if mine be not
The same adjusted ; know that I can bear
The hazard of my fortunes any where
To vie Arnoldus, if Arnoldus lay
Commands on him that's ready to obey,

56 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Am. This looks somewhat like a foreign doc-
trine.

Theoph. However, you'l find it an innate
principle.

Arn. If so, then we run but one single risque ;
which, of necessity, will incorporate us in one
single adventurer : in order thereto, let us first
dispatch Agrippa, whose countermarch will very
much advance our progress.

Theoph. That's well consider'd ; pray, let it
be so, that without interruption we may ramble
all Scotland.

Arn. And the studious art of angling — must
not we make that our employment ?

Theoph. Yes, sure ; but how must we accom-
modate our selves with rods, and other conveni-
ent manuals and instruments, whereby to pursue
this mysterious art ?

Arn. Trouble not your self with that little
affair. Here, Agrippa, take you these letters,
and sweeten your rhetorick with returns of Ar-
noldus, so oft as enquired for by my dear Con-
stantia.

Agrip. Can the tides forget their natural
course ? I'le court sun and moon to sprinkle
the tracts with propitious beams, to return me
prosperous.

Arn* But when you approach those harmo-
nious ports where Constantia dwells, be well ad-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 75

vis'd what you say or express : let not one word
slip that may cause a tear ; for if one star falls,
all the heavens lowre.

Theoph. And remember me (honest Agrippa)
to the vertuosos in Nottingham ; together with
the generous society of anglers, that traverse the
fragrant banks of those silver, silent, and mur-
muring streams of the famous Trent.

Am. Near whose cultivated shores, and florid
medows, shines the life of my life, in the con-
stant breast of my dear Constantia.

Agrip. Tie observe your punctims, and pay
your respects.

Am. Do so.

Theoph. Agrippa, farewel ! and forget not
Theophilus, who petitions their welfare, and thy
prosperous journey.

Agrip. Heavens influence your designs.

Am. Now, he is gone, (nor will he be long in
going ;) in the meantime, let us contemplate the
beauteous creation, and retire to those solitary
rocks, to defend us from the radient and reful-
gent beams of the sun, that direct their strokes
upon us \ such retirements will moderate ex-
treams : afterwards, we may stretch our limbs to
encounter our recreation, and sport ourselves
with the princely trout, in the flourishing rivers
and rivulets in Scotland, which probably may
contribute as much satisfaction as any other ri-

58 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

vers in the promontories of Great Britain, if dex-
trously examined, and industriously managed
with patience, and other requisites, sutable and
agreeable to the methods of aft.

We may also in our progress, as we travel the
country, take a survey of their towns, forts, and
fortresses. The like we may do of their cities,
castles, and citadels ; with their rivers, rivulets,
and solitary loughs, which will furnish us with
fish enough, provided we can furnish ourselves
with baits. But to furnish every angler with a
new bait, was the studious invention of Isaac
Walton, author (as you may read) of the Com-
pleat Angler, who industriously has taken care
to provide a good cook, (supposing his wife had
a finger in the py,) which will necessarily be
wanting in our northern expedition, where the
fry are numerous, (nay numberless almost,) in
some of those rapid and trembling streams ; from
whence the artificial fly (if that exercise be well
understood) will contribute as much as any thing
to court them ashore, and sweeten our recrea-
tion. But I speak more peculiarly to ingenious
artists, not to those flegmetick fellows indigent
of art ; such only I allot an accidental fate.

Theoph. Methinks I grow impatient to at-
tempt these silver streams with our harmless ar-
tillery. Here needs no auxiliary force to guard
our approaches, when only to trample these de-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 59

licious, pleasant, and fragrant banks, enameled
with flowers, and green coverings, where every
chrystal purling stream is overshadowed with
a stately fir tree, or some spreading sycomore,
through which Zephyrus inspires a softned
breath of air, to curl the surface of the milder
streams ; and where the glittering shores shine
like Peru, or the golden sands of the admired
Tagus, as if purposely erected for a tomb or se-
pulchre, therein to inter the generous trout,
which is the angler's trophies, and the ultimate
period of art. — Reach me that rod, Arnoldus,
and furnish me with tackle to try my fortune.
Are these flies proper, and sutable to the sea-
son ? Is the line tapred, and the rod rush-
grown ? Every thing answers to promise suc-
cess, and now have amongst them ; for I resolve,
beyond dispute, to approve myself an angler, or
shame the art.

Arn. An angler ! an allegator rather ; to rush
so rudely upon a river, and forget your rudi-
ments.

Theoph. My passionate zeal, hurried on by
avarice, confirm'd the difficulty of catching fish,
no more than a cast of my fly to summon them
ashore.

Arn. That wou'd excuse your over-forward-
ness to put a force upon your exercise. The

60 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

angler's direction, and the mediums of art, are
the Pole-star you must steer by.

Theoph. You do well to reckon up my errors,
and lay down rudiments to oblige me to reform.
All that I sollicite is, to be master of my exercise;
that theory and practice be made legible and in-
telligible ; Nature, then, will demonstrate her-
self obvious to the artist.

Arn. You have hit the mark ; it's true what
you say. Art, at the best, is but Nature's imi-
tation ; instructions made legible gratify the in-
genious, whilest the ignorant read but lectures in
their ABC.

Theoph. Then I need not despair. However,
as I'm solicitous after the secrets of the art, di-
rect me how to flourish a fly in a torpid, deep,
and melancholy water, such as this is.

Arn. Stand close, be sure, that's your first
caution ; and appear least in sight, that's your
second direction ; and dibble lightly on the sur-
face of the water, that's your third and final in-
struction. Now order and manage the affair as
well as you can.

Theoph. So I will ; and fancy that a city is
more than half conquered, where resolution has
got footing in the besieger's camp.

Arn. From your inference I must conclude,
that confident Theophilus will approve himself

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 61

an artist, because he's so forward in the art of
angling.

TJieoph. lie observe the angler's axioms.

Arn. So you must, if you intend to be an art-
ist. But how will you flourish a fly in that so-
litary water, whereby to compleat yourself lord
of your own exercise ? Consider it seriously. In
the next place, you must mind the season of the
year. Small rains, fair weather, and intermit-
tent sun-shine, all these contribute to your en-
tertainment ; but snow-broth and storms stand
in opposition to your recreation. You must al-
so observe the rack of clouds, and the hovering
winds that curl the streams. These circum-
stances judicially observed, an ordinary artist
may kill a trout, provided he purdue himself at
a reasonable distance. But what must be done
when the air is undisturbed, nor the least breath
of wind to fan the sholes ? Can you then kill a
fish to recompence your labour, and sweeten
your toil ? — Come, lend me your rod, and Tie
hazard my skill to puzzle the art, or lay a trout
in your lap.

Theoph. That's as much as to say, you will
give me handsel.

Arn. And I do but little, if I do not do that.
Observe that bush, whose slender branches wan-
tonly dangle, sporting themselves on the cusp of
the water ; there's no stream you may observe,

62 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

nor any thing of motion, nor the least breath of
air to invade the calms. Put case, I kill a trout
from that silent surface, what will you think
on't?

Theoph. I'le think you an artist.

Am. When?

Theoph. When I see your success.

Am. Have amongst them, then. — Now there's
what I promised you.

Theoph. And I'le promise you, you are a man
of your word.

Am. I seldom use to be less.

Theoph. And I'le never desire to be more.
But one thing I observe, and that's very re-
markable : Why so circumspect in making your
approaches, when accosting the river, as an en-
gineer approaches a fortification ?

Am. There's reason for what I do.

The&ph. Then there's reason you resolve me
what I shall do, since trouts are so difficult to
deal with.

Am. You will tell me more (I question not)
when you come to examine them.

Theoph. And that won't be long if I have
rny liking. But what an admirable fish is the
trout for shape, beauty and proportion ?

Am. Such is the char ; next to him the uin-
bar.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 63

Theoph. And are they of as much agility of
body?

Am. In every respect.

Theoph. Of necessity, then, they must be ex-
cellent companions to consort with the angler,
whiles the miser and avaricious hugs his bags,
the epicure his luxurious, voracious appetite,
and the wretched and covetous angler his paunch
and pannier. Let art, industry, and experience
gratify the artist. But as fortune favours you
in your second adventure, such are my resolves
to magnify the art.

Am. You do well, I perceive, to do nothing
rashly.

Theoph. And you do it better, by doing on't
advisedly.

Am. Then have at all ; and I think I have
him ; look how he leaps and struggles for life ;
but this prognosticks a sign of death : for, when
the swan sings his own funeral epitaph, which
of the family of birds join in consort with him ?
so when the trout dances corantos to the angler,
what but the line rings his funeral passing- peal ?
Now, see how he lies gasping for breath, though
every breath of air is as bad as opium ; and la-
ments his misfortune to be so unfortunate, be-
cause not to live out half his time ; where every
cheque of the line challengeth death, and sends
him a summons to prepare for the pannier. So

64 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

that you see he is no sooner deprived of natural
strength, but submits himself to the fatal doom
of the angler, who assures him no better quar-
ter than death. Are not these terrible argu-
ments to terrify the fish out of his element ?
who, whilest he endeavours to evade the angler,
falls foul upon the art with equal hazard ; and5
designing flight, pursues the pursuer ; so strug-
gles with the artist to cheat his appetite, by
proffering his life for a silly fly. By this you
may see it's not difficult to court him, when
with little difficulty he comes to hand, nay, to
his grave, meerly for a mouthful ; for this sim-
ple novelty cost him his life. And what was
it think you ? only a fly of another figure, and
of a different complexion ; the one artificial,
but this was natural ; and there he lies, natu-
rally devoted yours, not daring to petition his
judg's reprieve. Where note, for your en-
couragement, I present you with my conquest,
and dedicate both my practice and experience
to your self, purposing, perhaps, a farther exa-
mination. For since to find fish so prodigal as
to meet me half way, what cause have I to
doubt of carrying them to their journey's end?

Theoph. Here's lucky handsel for a young-
beginner.

Am. And you are that young beginner ; pray
accept of handsel.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 65

Theoph. Thanks, Arnoldus, if thanks be ar-
gument good enough to retaliate your bounty.
But what must we think of those hovering
clouds ?

Am. I think they'l bring us summons of
night, otherways I am loth to relinquish these
pleasant streams, that divert the angler with
such profitable entertainments.

Theaph. If the night approach, it's time to
withdraw ; but to withdraw from such sweet
diversion, goes against the grain. Eden, fare-
wel. Nay, I'le repeat it twice ; Farewel,
Eden. With what reluctancy do I relinquish
thy smiling fords, though to solace myself in
the fortress of Carlisle.

Arn. You are shrewdly hurt. Will refresh-
ment incommode you after the toils of recrea-
tion ? and your observation of this late encoun-
ter invalidate the art ? Ingenuously tell me,
what your observation directs to ?

Theoph. This I observ'd worthy my obser-
vation, that it was a field fairly fought, but I
cannot say without loss of life.

Arn. And I declare it a conquest of an easy
purchase, where arms and artillery (the rod ex-
cepted) amounts not to sixpence.

Theoph. Was it six shillings, what a purchase
is that to experience art and tantalize fish ?
What's the single hazard of a hook and line, (a

E

66 NOUTHEttN MEMOIRS.

valuable considerable loss, indeed) to lose the
value of two-pence, to purchase a fish worth
tenpence ? Pray, what is it more than earnest-
ing the river with a hook and line, to stem
the adventure ? which I value not a rush, was
every hair a thread of gold, and the barbed
hook of superfine silver ; I'd expose the worth
on't for the fin of a fish.

Am. This resolution surmounts the adven-
ture.

Theoph. Besides all this, here's another obser-
vation well worth your own and the angler's con-
sideration ; and that is, our labour and travel :
It's no more than a walk to trample the delici-
ated and cultivated fields, on the fragrant banks
that bridle the meandring streams. O, who
would not solicite patience to crown such charm-
ing rewards, intail'd upon anglers, in their soli-
tary recreations ? Instruct me, dear Arnoldus,
in this liberal art, and ingenuously tell me how
you took these trouts ?

Am. With nothing, upon reputation, but a
natural fly, which I suddenly snatch'd from that
slender twig. For, if you remember my turn-
ing to that bush, I mean that hawthorn that
flourishes behind you, there it was I discovered
some insects, which, properly to consult, are as
truculent as death, more especially in the ides
of April and May. It was only with dracks

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 67

that I kill'd these trouts ; nor is there any bait
that excels it at the tail of a bush, or the brow
of a bank, provided always you appear least in
sight ; dibble but lightly on the surface of the
calms, you infallibly raise him ; and the better
to secure him, stand but close, and you certainly
kill him.

Theoph. This plain discovery speaks both
theory and practice. Such instructions as these
(except to an indigent artist) will indisputably
compleat him an angler in an instant.

Arn. Come then, if you please, let us lap up
our lines, and trace these pleasant fields to the
town of Carlisle, where we may refresh ourselves
with the country curiosities.

Tlieoph. I think it very good and wholesome
advice, to comply with your motion for a mo-
dicum : For when the water with exercise exti-
mulates our stomachs, I fancy diet will relish
better than discourse ; and when we have closed
up the orifice of our appetites, clean linen, I
fancy, will be very acceptable. Then for the
morning watch, trust to my diligence, for I'll
rise with the sun, or it may be before day, to be
in readiness to survey this ancient city, citadel,
castle, cathedral, ports, vanports, curtains, coun-
terscarps, bastions, redoubts, &c. of all which I
purpose a brief description, and that you may
expect before our departure.

68 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Am. You direct good measures ; but let me
first advise you to observe access, situation, and
strength, the complement and resolution of their
armed men ; their arms also, ammunition and
artillery ; what stock of provisions is stored in
their providers ; and whether nature or art chal-
lenges the superiority in her fortifications. This
is part of the task you impose upon yourself;
and by noon be in readiness for our depar-
ture ; about which time (if I calculate right .
the tide will commode us for our northern pas
sage over the trembling tottering sands. In
the meantime, let not the night nor our sleep
invade us, nor our watchings slide into wanton
embracements. For the Watchman of the night
will declare against such, and a serpent conceal'd
in the secrets of conscience, shall gnaw and de-
vour our habitations with ourselves.

TheopJi. Vainly and profusely to lavish time,
we but flatter ourselves with sordid delusions,
that vanish if but touch'd by the cold icy finger
of death. How in a trice honours become fugi-
tive before us ; and mortality, in a moment, in-
corporates with the grave ; tissues and orris
hangings become a prey to the moth ; and po-
lish'd pavements of jasper, with those others of
marble, how quickly time translates them into
tombstones. Nay, those delicacies and viands
that surprized the palat, are by this also con-

7

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 69

verted into nauseous excrements. So that upon
the whole, this elementary composition in con-
clusion results in dust and ashes.

Am. It's very true ; for did man but consi-
der the instability of transitory enjoyments, he
might read himself, more miserable in living
than dying ; but there is a state (tho unknown
to the ignorant) that is too great and glorious
for mortals to purchase ; but Christ hath already
done that for inglorious man, whose longest
progress of life on the stage of this world, is
no more than a dream to the length of eternity.

Theoph. Now the fair star Aurora springs
upon us, I must be stirring, Arnoldus ; you
know I have set myself a task to survey this
city and fortress of Carlisle, which I purpose to
describe.

Arn. That will be time enough about noon.

Theoph. And it may be I can do it now as
well.

Arn. Come then, let us have it ; I see you're
in haste.

Theoph. Carlisle, I have considered it but a
little city, a little observation, therefore, shall
serve to describe it. However, it's a fortifica-
tion (that's true) tho it stands in a nook, or
more properly to call it, a corner of England,
whose foundations are rocky, and surrounded
with a stone wall. At the south entrance, you
may observe a small citadel, fronted with stone,

70 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

and such are the houses of the same material ;
nor are they much elevated into the air, where
the battlements are seen above the houses, which
argues the wall a serviceable defence. In the
midst of the market-place they parade their
guards ; and at the north-west end of the city
stands their castle, (strong and formidable) upon
whose bulky battlements several pieces of can-
non are planted, to scatter fury in every quar-
ter. There is also a cathedral situated south
from the bastions of the castle, worthy any man's
description, were it not so torn to tatters that
there's little to describe, which only serves now
as a monument to gaze at, because impoverish'd
by the strokes of time. But the ports and sal-
ly ports of this northern fortress are girt about
with rocky stone ; and the wash of Eden bathe
some of her sconces ; that river, I mean, where
Arnoldus fish'd when he slew the trouts.

Arn. It's very true, the river Eden floats
near the skirts, and the fortifications of Carlisle.
But then you must consider there's another
river, commonly known by the name of Annon,
(of a more rapid motion, and more resolute
streams) which issues from the famous top of
Erricsteen, not far from as famous a mountain
called Tintaw. This Annon glides along the
southern marshes of Scotland, which afterwards
cspouseth with the ocean westward, and gives

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 71

name to a dale, commonly called Annon's Dale.
But there's another river the natives call Ask,
which juts just upon Annon, on the Scottish
promontories, so tumbles into the sea at N. Nor-
west, as near as I can guess at the Quaking
Sands.

Theoph. Tray, give us that relation.

Am. I remember on a time as I travelled
these parts, to admiration, I saw two thousand
horse, all advance in divisions over those silly
shores, which so prest and deprest the tottering
surface, that not till then, nor before, I had ever
seen sands shap'd into vallies, then again into
mountains ; nay, such prodigious overgrown
mountains as almost amaz'd me ; because, when
to behold from such palpable levels, mountains,
as it were, rais'd up in a moment ; and in the
twinkling of an eye, all melted into vallies.
And the nearer the bodies approached one ano-
ther, the farther they seemed to be asunder. So
that upon the matter, the advance of this bri-
gade was li ttle more than to make new hills,
and depress and sink them again into dales. So
that looking behind me, when discharging the
fords, there was nothing remaining but sea and
sand, chequer'd as it were, parte perpale. This
is the first of our northern wonders, and the ra-
rity is almost beyond belief, were it not so com-
monly experienced by almost every traveller

72 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

that travels these northern remote parts : other-
wise it might render me ridiculous to report it,
and look too fabulous to gain a reputation. But
he that has beheld this admirable prospect will
credit my relation, whilst the more ignorant and
prejudicate suspend their censures.

Theoph. And must we adventure to attempt
these tottering sands ?

Am. Yes, indisputably we must.

Theoph. In my opinion, then, it's requisite
we summons a guide.

Arn. That's well considered, for there's no
passing without one.

Theoph. So, ho ! Jockey !

Servus. Wha's there ?

Tlieoph. Here's one or two want a good guide
to pilot us over these sinking sands.

Servus. Ise come belive.

Arn. Prethee come now, and direct us over
these quaking sands.

Servus. Marry sail I ; Ise be your guide, I
tro, to speer oot the bliethest and the bonnyest
gate I con. Hand a plack, Ise but fet my spere
and cutrements, whelk, in guid fa, I may not
won without.

Arn. Then take 'em with you.

Servus. Marry sail I ; sa that now and then,
as I gang by the gat, gif the bourn be clear,
and Ise pre a guid blink ; "Ise wap a samon ore

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 73

the crage I tro, than with a grip ore his luggs
we my ene hand : I tro, Ise hold him a bit ;
an, for au his struggle, Ise mar his march to sea
any mare. Come ben, me joes, and won awaugh.
Span yar groond ore this silly bourn ; Ise pre
it and prieve it ; it's guid enogh : Come awaw,
folio me now. Whelk way won ye, ken ye
I tro ? Guid fa, sirs, yar misleard ; won away
thick way, mare and mare yet to thick hond ; for
an the quick sands get a grip au yor nagg's
shakle bene, gude fa, sirs, heel womble doun the
bourn, an whar are ye then ? But au's weel
enof now ; for now ye treed on bonnie Scotish
grond.

Theoph. I know not what ground it is, nor
what to call it ; but this I know, that I'm glad
we can welcome our selves on this side danger.
What think you, Arnoldus, have not we made
an eminent exchange, to truck a southern rose
for a northern thistle ? Farewel, Old England ;
I shall venerate thy memory, and thy fertile
medows, and never forget thy florid fields that
glut the sithe, nor thy fragrant gardens that per-
fume the air.

Arn. And welcome Scotland, I say ; for this
night I purpose to lodg in Dumfreez. But
who must carry our impliments and our fish ?

Theoph. Let us catch 'em first, and then con-
sider their portage.

74 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Am. That's but little difficult to do, where
every field is accommodated with rivulets, and
every rivulet furnished with trouts, as we travel
along this mountainous coast of Galloway. Look
but before you, and view those ports ; such are
the entrances into the decays of Dumfreez, whose
situation and buildings bespeak it spacious, and
a town that will furnish us with fish and flesh ;
where we may stay till to morrow, and solace
our selves with her flourishing streams ; whose
lofty banks barrocade the beautiful Pontus Ar-
notus, a pleasant portable river below the situa-
tion of the town (unplundered of exercise) that
will recreate and recruit us with fish enough, if
the season but serve to experiment the art.

TheopJi. I approve very well of your motion,
but a modicum first will be very seasonable.
Let us summons the cook to know what he's
got in the kitchin ; and give charge to the
chambermaid, (if there be such a thing in Scot-
land,) to take care that the windows be deck'd
and adorn'd with flowers, whilst the boards and
floors are strewed with greens ; for I'll examine
every thread in our beds, to see if they be clean-
ly wash'd, and throughly dried, the better to
accommodate us in our northern expedition.

Am. Do so ; and I resolve in the morning to
examine your breviate of the various particulars
of this night's entertainment, how you approv'd

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 75

of your lodging, with the memorable apprehen-
sions of England in Scotland. The sauce, also,
you must tell how that savoured ; and the rest
of your delicates, how they digested ; together
with your linen, how richly perfumed.

Theoph. Were not complaint a ridiculous ora-
tor, I would tell you, the mutton was small, but
good; but cookery, 1 perswade myself, never
worse contriv'd : And the linen was sweet, and
clean enough, of a modest complexion, but not
la vender- proof. Then for their pewter, (the like
was never seen) it was tarnish'd with nothing
but a face of lead. The beds, I confess, were
soft enough, and, if I don't mistake myself, short
enough ; yet every angler may, without diffi-
culty, resolve how sweetly rest relishes after re-
creation, and how grateful solace seems after
good success. Shall we spread the water this
morning with our angling artillery, and examine
the fords before we feast ourselves ? Resolve
this morning's exercise, my benevolence ; only
stand by, and furnish me with directions.

Arn. Your motion inclines me to promote
the adventure, and the rather because to intro-
duct you into the anglers society. Hold forth
your hand, and grasp this rod ; take also this
box, and this dubbing bag of flies, and select a
choice. The complexion of the water must al-
so be considered ; and depths and shallows are

76 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

necessary observations. But, above all, mind
carefully the clifts of those craggy rocks, from
whence you must expect the head of your game,
if you angle for trout. And be circumspect and
cautious when and how you strike, lest perad-
venture passion provoke your discretion, so in-
danger the loss of what you labour for.

The&ph. These are soveraign admonitions.

Arn. Mind, therefore, your directions, and
fish like an artist ; for here, if your line but
reach the water, you raise a trout, or, it may be,
a salmon. Where, note, if you be indigent of
this generous art, and unskilful to manage so
eminent an encounter, perchance you'l sacrifice
your labours to loss, so in conclusion lose your
reputation.

Theoph. I shall be mindful of that.

Arn. Then direct your eye to those bubbling
streams, at whose murmuring descents are most
profound deeps. But then, again, there's cata-
racts and falls of water ; from whose fair invita-
tions neither doubt nor despair of incomparable
entertainments. That's the Sirene's seat of tro-
phies, where trouts tumble up and down for di-
version. Don't you see them pick, and cast
themselves on the surface of the streams amongst
those knotty stumpy rocks, almost drown'd in
water? Lay but your line in at the tail of that
stream, where it's sheltred with craggy rocky

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 77

stones, and manage your game with art and
discretion, lie uphold you sport enough; but
be circumspect (be sure) and look well to your
line, lest peradventure your tackle be torn to
pieces.

Theoph. Doubt not of my care and circum-
spection.

Am. Then take your lot, and cast in your
line ; and flourish your fly, for it's dub'd with
bear's hair ; and the point of your hook, it's so
snug and so sharp, that, as it ought, it must al-
ways hang downward. Moreover, it's propor-
tioned of an excellent compass, wing'd also with
the dapple feather of a teal ; a dangerous novel
to invite a desperate fish ; and su table to the day
and season, in regard it's bright.

Theoph. Why thus to capitulate ? let us in
amongst them.

Arn. Two words to a bargain ; be better ad-
vised.

Theoph. It's past that now, and I'm past my
senses, to feel such trepidations on a sudden in-
vade me. What's the matter with me that I'm
thus out of order ?

Arn. I perceive you disordred, but not much
deliciated.

Theoph. If I were, it's folly to complain, when
past all hope to expect redress.

Arn. How know you that ?

78 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theoph. I know you won't tell me what it is
that tugs thus.

Am. It may be a trout ; or it may be a sal-
mon.

Theoph. Or it may be both, for ought I know ;
for it's almost impossible that one single fish
should raise the water to such eruptions.

Arn. And impossible for you (I perceive) to
reclaim him.

Theoph. Do but resolve me what it is, and
then Tie resolve myself what to do.

Am. Make your own choice, what would you
have it ?

Theoph. I would have it a fish.

Arn. So it is ; and it may be a fish of the lar-
gest size ; therefore, look well about you.

Theoph. I may look which way I will, and de-
spair at last ; what makes the water swell with
ebullitions ?

Am. Nothing I suppose but a change of ele-
ments, the fish has no mind to come a shore.

Theoph. And I have as little inclination to go
to fetch him.

Arn. Then were your hazards equal ; and hi-
therto, as I apprehend, you have much the odds.

Theoph. Odd or even, I know not how to ma-
nage him.

Arn. Would you put a force upon Neptune,
to compel his subjects a shore ?

XOTITHERN MEMOIRS. 79

Theoph. Had I skill enough, I would certain-
ly do it.

Am. So I perceive ; but you'r now almost at
a stand. Pull.

Theoph. On the other hand, he strives to pull
all in pieces ; which he will certainly do, if I do
not reclaim him. But where is he now ?

Am. Gone to the bottom, it may be.

Tlieoph. And it may be, I begin to smell the
plot ; he courts the deep for self-security.

Am. Then you fancy the streams won't pro-
tect him ; because there's no plot in them.

Theoph. Plots for the most part, you know, lie
deepest ; so he sinks to the bottom for self-pre-
servation, and creeps to death as if of old ac-
quaintance.

Am. Rash results reap repentance ; mistake
not your self by dooming his death ; he's but
slipt to the bottom to recruit himself, and inden-
ture with stones to oblige their protection.

Theopli. What, must we have now another va-
gary ? Is my scaly companion surrounded and
compounded of nothing but frolicks ? which, for
ought I know, may cost him his life, if he is not
mindful to look to his hitts.

Am. And you must be advised to look well
to yours ; for he'l not come ashore to beg his life.
Stand fast, therefore, and call to mind your for-
mer rudiments ; for trust me, I shall give you

80 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

no other supply than some friendly admonish-
ments to reconcile you together.

Theoph. What, no directions ; nor any farther
instructions ?

Arn. If two to one be odds at football, and
against the rules and law of fair play, the very
thought on't would make me blush, and appear
shamefac'd, if but to think two anglers should at
once consult together to encounter one fish.

Theoph. Then Tie fight him myself, and run
my own destiny. See where he comes, tumbling
and tossing, and volting himself in the stiffest
streams. Can no element contain his active vio-
lence ? Will he twist his tail to cut my line for
an experiment ? But this kind of cunning may
perchance defeat him ; he may prick his chaps
and yet miss my bait.

Arn. And you may miss him, that won't stand
upon a trifle.

Theoph. A trifle did you say ? He trifle him
no longer. Ha, boys ! he's gone again.

Arn. I suppose he's gone where you can't come
at him ; and that's to the bottom for another in-
surrection.

Theoph. So it appears, for he's invisible in a
moment. This is a kind of hocus pocus : Surely
I fancy he has outliv'd his time.

Arn. Flatter not yourself with that fly-blown
opinion ; for I'm apt to perswade myself he'l live

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 81

beyond the art of your exercise ; this I know and
perceive by his working, that if you work not
wisely, he'l work a reprieve.

Theoph. Then Tie work with him, and trifle
him a shore, to examine the point, and exchange
of elements. I see he's convulst by fluttering his
fins ; and I'm sure he's half dead by rigling his
tail ; nay, more than that, he lies still without
motion : And are not all these mortal signs of
submission ?

Am. And if he submits, he dies without re-
demption ; and death, you know, is a total sub-
mission.

Theoph. I'le kill this fish, or forfeit my repu-
tation.

Am. Take your chance, for I know you are
resolute.

Theoph. I'le take my chance, and return vic-
torious.

Arn. But there's no triumph, you know, till
possest of the trophies.

Theoph. And I am pretty near them, was it
not that one or two stratagems strangely amuse
me ; the one of them is the casting himself on
the surface, as if designing thereby to cut my
line ; and the other, his fastning himself in the
bottom, thinking, as I apprehend, to tear all in
pieces; which, if he do, I lose my reputation :

F

82 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

besides I grow weary, and would fain horse him
out.

Am. You may do what you please, you are
lord of your own exercise ; the law is in your
hand, manage with discretion.

Theoph. He manage it with all the industry
I have.

Am. Do so, and you will see the event.

Theoph. Then have at all.

Am. And what have you got ?

Theoph. I have got nothing but the foot-steps
of folly.

Am. And nothing out of nothing is folly in
the abstract ; was not I prophetick ?

Theoph. An oracle too true to confirm my
loss ; for what have I left ? nothing but folly,
to lament and condole this fatal conclusion : to
be rob'd by a fish that I reckoned my reward :
is not this felony, to steal my tackle, and ruin an
angler ? but he's mark'd for my own, and let
whose will take him, lie challenge an interest.

Am. That's very pleasant ; when another has
catch'd him, youl put in your claim.

Theoph. So I will, where- e're I find him ; for
his marks I am sure will certainly betray him.

Am. As if he wore your livery to no other
purpose than to describe his servitude.

Theoph. So he does ; for my hook I am sure

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 83

hangs still in his chaps, and part of my line is
entailed to it.

Arn. I thought all along what it would come
to, for I knew well enough there was nothing-
wan ting but the exercise of patience to kill this
fish.

Theoph. What would you have done had it
been your case ?

Arn. I would not have handled my play- fel-
low so rudely.

Tlieoph. What ! you rather laugh at me, than
pity my loss.

Arn. I pity the fish to feed upon such sharp
commons.

Theoph. Peradventure the hook may go near
to choak him.

Arn. That it will never do, nor hardly check
him upon a fresh entertainment.

Theoph. Why so ; will the hook remain in
his chaps without detriment to the fish ?

Arn. Some small season it may remain ; but
time and action soon discharges it. For if when
to consider his frequent motion, his continual
gliding and glancing against stones, it loosens
the part without detriment to the fish, so that
the hook of it self leisurely drops off.

Theoph. How comes this to pass ? it's incre-
dibly strange.

Arn. Yet not so strange as true that you have

84 NOUTHEIIN MEMOIRS.

lost a line, as compleat a line as art could pro-
portion ; it's well you kept your rod, for I'le as-
sure you it's exactly taper'd, and as streight and
plient as ever flourish' d a fly to facilitate death
by dexterity: But this artificial novel you lost
but now, gives no more satisfaction to a voraci-
ous appetite, than a witch's banquet ; or the un-
limited desires of a wretched usurer, who never
desists the pursuit of riches, till tantaliz'd, like
your game, to death with a trifle.

And now, Theophilus, I must reprove your
precipitancy, because a great error in young
anglers. Patience must be moderated to pro-
mote the art, and time procrastinated to pro-
claim the angler an artist. These precepts I
have laid down oftner than once, always pro-
vided your swim be clear, your line long, and
strong enough ; then shall you see the fruits of
your labour, and the fish himself act the part
of a felon, that puts a knife to his own throat,
wherewith he secretly murders himself ; and
that this desperado had certainly done, upon ex-
change of elements, so become his own execu-
tioner ; who, beyond dispute, had struggled to
strangle himself, which, without difficulty, is
easily and the more expeditiously done, by fre-
quently but cautiously exposing him to air ; for
that suffocates his vitals, whereby he necessarily
falls under very fatal consequents. And how

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 85

little a thing blots out the character of life, every
one knows, that knows air is as opium to force
a sleepy pulse ; that deprives of motion, and
makes passage for death.

Be mindful, therefore, to observe directions
in handling and managing your rod and line,
and cautiously keeping your self out of sight ;
all which precautions are requisite accomplish-
ments, which of necessity ought to be under-
stood by every ingenious angler. And so is
that secret art of striking, which ought never at
any time to be used with violence ; because,
with a moderate touch, and a slender propor-
tion of strength, the artist for the most part has
best success.

Another caution you must take along with
you ; and that is, when you observe your game
begins to make an out ; that is, when he bolts,
or when he launcheth himself forth to the ut-
most extent of your rod and line, which a well-
fed fish at all times frequently attempts, upon
the least advantage he gains on the angler ; be
mindful, therefore, to throw him line enough,
if provided you purpose to see his destruction ;
yet with this caution, that you be not too libe-
ral. On the other hand, too streight a line brings
equal hazard ; so that to poize your fish, and
your fore-sight together, is, by keeping one eye
at the point of your rod, and the other be sure

86 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

you direct on your game ; which comes nearest
the mediums of art, and the rules and rudiments
of your precedent directions.

But this great wound is easily solv'd ; for if,
when to discover your fish fag his fins, you
may rationally conclude he then struggles with
death ; and then is your time to trifle him a
shore on some smooth shelf of sand, where you
may boldly land him, before his scales encoun-
ter the soil, which he no sooner apprehends by
the prospect of death approaching ; as a dying
man that grasps every twig, because thinking
thereby to save himself; so will your game ex-
tinguish his strength, and blaze out the flames
of his life with a struggle.

Another expedient is the landing-net, or the
landing- rod, which I rather approve of; let the
swim be deep, or let it be shallow, we direct
this artifice to amuse the fish, and facilitate his
destruction, when he struggles with difficulties :
Notwithstanding all this, some hazards must be
encountred, by the more ingenious that flies
high at his game. Incomparable sport the sal-
mon makes, and so did this, for he made me
laugh.

TheopJi. Why so severe to run at my misfor-
tune ? take the rod if you please, and display
your skill, lie defy all your art to discover such
a fish ; though unfortunate, I must confess, to

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 87

hazard my reputation, with such ill success ;
whereby to lose such an eminent encounter:
but I am come to that point of resolution now,
that fish that comes next but to smell my hook,
shall prize the scent on't so long as he lives ;
where an inch of my line shall cost him an ell
of his life, though he attempts to saw my line
in sunder, with the ragged and jagged teeth of
his tail.

Am. And is this the earnest you intend to
handsel us with ? Such a small stock of experi-
ence will neither admit of general nor particu-
lar directions to instruct and initiate proficients
in the art, to try their skill with a resolute fish.
Reach hither your rod, and that bag of flies.
Now should fortune contribute equal success,
we need not despair of a hungry breakfast ;
however, I'le adventure, and have in amongst
'em ; did you see him show ?

Theoph. Yes, yes, I see something make a
show ; and it may be fish.

Arn. What, a fish with an it, and a may be
too ? Stand close, I advise you, for he'l rise
again, provided as hitherto he has made no dis-
covery.

Theoph. What then, will you discipline and
teach him the art of invasion ?

Arn. I'le teach him to know that if one ele-
ment won't contain him, another must ; so, so,

88 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

I have him fast enough to distinguish the dif-
ference. And now for the landing-rod to mea-
sure his dimensions. See where he lies, and tell
me how you like him ; can you think him as
large as that you encountred ?

Tkeoph. It's no matter what I think ; it may
be he's inferiour, or it may be superiour.

Am. That's modestly ingenious, to lessen
your loss by advancing my reputation.

Theopli. And you more than fortunate to suc-
ceed so well ; shall we lap up our lines, and re-
turn to Dumfreez ?

Arn. With all my heart, for the clock strikes
ten ; and the sun is in his elevation towards
the meridian. This is no time for farther exa-
mination, till about four after noon, except in
an obscure and clowdy day ; for the crisis and
critical time for diversion, is late in the evening,
or early in the morning.

Theoph. It's enough I perceive ; your gene-
rous motion moves me to wave the present re-
creation. On the other hand, your experience,
I must confess, promulges the art, and your self
an artist, All this I grant, and more than this,
since to confirm this evidence quickens my ap-
petite.

Arn. Ay, but what think you of the wing of
an ox ? would not such a modicum melt sweetly
in your mouth ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 89

TJieoph. If luxurious dreams and witches
banquets are equally alike impoverished vanity ;
then to contemplate England in the bowels of
Scotland, will represent to us but fictitious delu-
sions. Rather would I have you tell me how
you like the commons, and tell me then how
you approve the cookery,

Am. I like it so well, that I could heartily
wish it had been better ordered for your enter-
tainment ; but the difficulty is such in this
northern latitude, that good cooks and good fish
seldom dwell together.

Theoph. Then let them dwell asunder ; how-
ever, it's well it is as it is, better ill-cooked than
none at all. However, in the mean while reflect
on your self, and give us a description of the
town of Dumfreez.

Am. I fancy e're long you will change your
note, when you traverse these pleasant northern
tracts. In the mean time I'll gratify you with
a breviate of Dumfreez, where a provost, as su-
perintendent, supplies the place of a mayor, a
magistrate almost as venerable as an English
constable.

Theoph. That's wittily applied ; what comes
next?

Am. Nay, hold a little, I have not done yet
with the eminencies and the remarks of the
town of Dumfreez ; for you are to consider it

90 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

was anciently a town girt about with a strong
stone wall ; but the late irruptions, or perhaps
some state-disagreement, has in a manner de-
faced that regular ornament, otherwise the cank-
rous teeth of time have gnawn out the impres-
sions, as evidently appears by those ruinous
heaps. Nor is the Arnotus in all parts portable,
notwithstanding her shores are so delightful.

Theoph. What, is there more yet ? pray, go
on.

Am. In the midst of the town is their mar-
ket-place, and in the centre of that stands their
tolbooth, round about which the rabble sit, that
nauseate the very air with their tainted breath,
so perfum'd with onions, that to an English-
man it is almost infectious.

But the kirk is comely, and situated south-
ward, furnished once a week with moveable
spectrums, (you know what that means,) yet
the outside than the inside is more eminently
imbellished, if sepulchres and tombstones can
be said to be ornaments ; and where death and
time stand to guard the steeple, whose rings of
bells seldom or rarely exceed the critical num-
ber of three.

Here also you may observe a large and spa-
cious bridg, that directly leads into the country
of Galloway, where thrice in a week you shall
rarely fail to see their niaid-maukins dance co-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 91

rantos in tubs. So on every Sunday some as
seldom miss to make their appearance on the
stool of repentance.

Theoph. Then it seems by your relation they
keep time with their Comers, that hazard their
reputation for a country-custom (or the love of
liquor) rather than omit a four-hours drinking.

Arn. That's true enough ; and it's an antient
practice among the female sex, to covee together
(about that time) as naturally as geese flock'd to
the Capitol. Now the very name of Comer they
mightily honour ; but that of Gossip they utter-
ly abominate, as they hate the plague, or some
mortal contagion. So that whether to conclude
it a vulgar error, and an abomination among the
Scots to lick up an English proverb, it matters
not ; or, whether to fancy a more laudable em-
phasis in the word Comer, then there is in Go-sip.
I leave you to judg of that, and those other abo-
minable customs, that drink till they sigh to do
penance for their sins. Will this expiate the
crime, and extenuate the fact ?

Tlieoph. Yes, when oil quenches fire ; or fire
forgets its natural force to burn. So let us leave
Dumfreez, and accommodate our selves with the
country-curiosities ; and to make our design yet
more sweet and pleasant, let us rally what des-
criptions of places we can, not, only to gratify
our selves but others. In the mean time, favour

92 NORTHERN MEMOTKS.

me with your bad fortune of the dish of sewins,
and the duck Moggy drest, when she flung it
into the fire, to singe off the feathers.

Am. Why thus to reflect on the country-ab-
surdities ? Had you been then in place, distress' d
as we were, I doubt not but that duck had gone
daintily down, notwithstanding you think it so
sluttishly cook'd. Hunger at no time solicits
sauce to incite ; and necessity as little as any
thing disputes dainties. The landskip of want
invades natural strength, and reads lectures le-
gibly in any man's features. But the manner of
their cookery, or rather Scotish sluttery, I'll tell
you the story, and how it was.

Theoph. I shall be very attentive,

Am. Near the English promontories stands
the town of Jedard, whose skirts are wash'd by
the famous Tweed. But westward from thence
(and inclining yet more norward) are the remark-
able antiquities and ruins of Bog-hall ; and not
far from thence is the admirable Tintaw, a pro-
digious mountain over-looking the Marshes.
From whence, or from Erricsteen (that's not far
from it) there issue forth three eminent and con-
siderable rivers ; as that of the Tweed, Loyd,
and the river Annon : But of these three rivers
we shall discourse more at large, as opportunity
presents in its proper place.

And now let's advance to our country cottage,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 93

since compelled by the extremity of rain, and
encreasing waters. To which place when we ar-
rived, like men in amaze, we stood gazing at one
another, because to see the sheep grazing on the
tops of those houses, where there was hardly
grass enough to graze a goose in. By this you
may conclude their buildings but low, and I'm
sure their doors and entrances were so strait, that
they exercised our strength beyond our art. Ar-
chimedes'engines signified but little, till the soul-
diers set their shoulders to support the eves, by
which means the horse got an entrance in ; and
that horseman that was not throughly wet, was
doom'd that night to go supperless to bed.

Thus in a storm we stormed the town, and
'twould make a man storm to be treated only
with oatmeal, of which we made cakes ; for
every souldier became a baker ; and the flesh-
meat they procured us was drest without slaugh-
ter ; for none we had except my duck, (you for-
merly discoursed) so that most of us roosted with
an empty appetite ; and every man that went
that night to bed, was sufficiently alarum'd be-
fore it was day. Oat-straw was our sheets, and
port-mantles our pillows. It's true, some had
cloaks, and 'twas well they had them, otherwise
they had been constrained to use plads ; and he
that used one but to cover his carcass, mustred
(I uphold him) more gray coats than black coats,

94 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

that claw'd him more perniciously than a Mid-
dlesex bailiff.

The next day we recruited with some coun-
try ale, but so thick and roapy it was, that you
might eat it with spoons. Besides, some small
quantity of mutton was brought us, enough to
discover the cookery of the country : and the li-
nen they supplied us with, were it not to boast of,
was little or nothing different from those female
complexions that never washed their faces, to
retain their Christendom. But among the rest I
had almost forgot to remind you that the soul-
diers and people were jointly agreed to part
without the loss of one tear in the morning.

Theoph. I hope not to see, nor would I will-
ingly dream of such bad commons, a hungry
belly, and nothing to bite on ; nay, worse than
that, more sluts than cooks ; and in every house
fowl women, fowl linen, and fowl pewter ; yet
in their rivulets such silver streams. What, not
a bed, nor a thread (but linsey lowsy) to keep a
man dry ! who could project or contrive worse
entertainment for the worst of his enemies ?

Am. Why, how now, Theophilus, is it that
time of day ? he's an early angler that angles by
moonshine.

Theoph. Mistake not your self, I'm only grop-
ing for baits ; it may be I propose to angle early.

Am. Who questions it, when you catch 'em

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 95

so fast before sun-rise, what will you do when
it's break of day ?

Theoph. O, Arnoldus, I'm almost worried to
death with lice, my skin is all motled and dapled
like an April trout. Can you blame me to re-
linquish this lowsy lodging, when my batter'd
sides are pinck'd full of ilet-holes ? One brigade
pursues another, and flight I find the best expe-
dient ; for my enemies, I perceive, are so despe-
rately resolv'd, that they'll rather die than quit
the field. Dangers foreseen are the sooner pre-
vented, and I design to sleep in a whole skin as
long as I can. Zanker, farewel, I am glad to see
thee behind me, and no need of a chirurgion.

Arn. Did you think of Boghall, when the ver-
min last night were so busy about you ? the
story of my duck was pleasant to you, and so
is this to me. Those characters and impressions
seal'd on your sides (by these Scotish interlo-
pers) will oblige you to remember Zanker these
seven days. You have not been used to such
coarse entertainment, nor treated as I have been,
with such Scots commons. Is this the fruits of
private practice to compleat your self a gradu-
ate, tho you steal your preferment from a nitty
corporation ? at the best you can be but batch e-
lor of Backbiter's-hall. But now jesting is done,
and you're half undone I perceive ; what will

96 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

you do now in reference to Zanker ? can you
give a relation of that corporation ?

Theoph. Yes, that I can, and will do, not-
withstanding the difficulties I have encountred.
Zanker stands situate on a flat or level, surround-
ed, as you see, with excellent corn-fields : but
more remote it's besieged with mountains that
are rich in lead-mines. The planets I fancy
them very benevolent to influence this swompy
rocky earth, and shine metallick blessings into
them, to commode the indigent and almost un-
cultivated native. Heaven, it's true, is always
propitious, because never to impose the law of
of sterility, when to supply the whole world with
the bounty of increase. And tho the people here-
abouts are destitute of ingenuity, and their fields
for the most part impoverish'd for want of cul-
tivation ; yet are their rivers and rivulets reple-
nished with trout, because undisturb'd with the
noosy net, which augments the angler's \ if not
the artizan's entertainment.

Am. Here's no character of Zanker all this
while.

Theoph. I am just coming to tell you, that
Zanker is a town and a corporation too ; tho not
bulky in buildings, yet there is a bailiff, master
sometimes of a brew-house, whose entertainments
(in my opinion) may easily be guest at, provided
you reflect on our late accommodation.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 97

There is also a market-place, such an one as
it is, and a kind of a thing they call a tolbooth,
which at first sight might be suspected a prison,
because it's so like one ; whose decays, by the
law of antiquity, are such, that every prisoner
is threatned with death before his trial; and every
casement, because bound about with iron bars,
discovers the entertainments destined only to fe-
lons. Now the market-place is less worthy of a
description than the tolbooth ; for no man would
know it to be such, were he not told so.

There is also a kirk, or something like it ; but
I might as reverently call it a barn ; because so
little to distinguish betwixt them, and the whole
town reads daily lectures of decays ; so do her
ports, her avenues, and entrances. Where note,
I call her the child of antiquity, by reason of her
ruins and irreparable decays. It's true, I was not
murdered, nor was I kill'd outright, yet I nar-
rowly escaped as eminent a danger, when almost
worried to death with lice.

Arn. However, I am glad you escaped with-
out scars ; and advise for the future, that you
examine your lodging before you make your for-
mal entrance. In the mean time, let me resti-
tute some part of amendment, by an easy, tho
solitary journy over this mountanous country,
to sweeten your entertainment. And, in regard

98 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

of your unexperience in these northern tracts, I
shall direct our course through the coast of Gal-
loway, a compendium of the Highlands im-
merg'd in the arms of the Low-lands ; and I'll ap-
peal to your self, when you have seen her fertili-
ty, if you do not envy her blest inhabitants, be-
cause inrich'd with the plenty of rivers and ri-
vulets, woods and groves ; besides benevolent
fields, and profitable pastures. Yet sometimes
we must ramble o're some rotten bogs, as now
we do ; and permit our feet (as at other times)
to climb those knotty craggy mountains, that,
like a gnomen, direct to the town of Kilmar-
nock, a kind of a corporation, where we may ex-
pect the comfortable issues of good entertain-
ment ; for worse than the last is madness to con-
template.

Theoph. Is that the town that presents at a
distance ?

Am. Yes, that is Kilmarnock, an antient cor-
poration, heap'd up and crowded with men and
mechanicks ; through the midst of whose crazy
tottering ports, there runs a river replenished
with trout, where we may treat our appetites, as
already our apprehensions, with the entertain-
ments of Dumbarton, whose rapid streams, when
we come to examine them, are enough, one
would think, to surfeit the angler. To which
place it is now but one day's journy, nor need

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 99

we hackney it at more than an ordinary rate, be-
fore we discover those beautiful ascents, and the
hostile habitation of our friend Aquilla, that
dwells in those western florid fields, who will
bid us welcome, and rejoice to see us. Nor will
Glasgow be any impediment in our way, whilst
we only survey her beautiful palaces, so direct
to the lofty turrets of Dumbarton.

Theoph. Let the sun, or his star the beautiful
Aurora, arrest me, if otherwise 1 arise not be-
fore break of day, and be in readiness for a march
to the famous Glasgow, where you purpose to
refresh, and briefly examine the city curiosities ;
as also the customs of their magnificent situa-
tions ; whose academick breasts are a nursery for
education, as the city for hospitality. And let
this be your task as we travel to Dumbarton, to
give us a narrative of the antiquities of Cloyd,
as also of the town of Kilmarnock, where we
slept this night, that so bravely refreshed us.

Am. That I can do as we ride along.

Theopli. Do so, it will be very acceptable.

Arn. Then to expostulate the antiquities of
Kilmarnock ; as it would puzzle the pen of an
ingenious historiographer, so I, for that end, was
thinking to evade it, and refer it to some other
of more mature judgment ; since you yourself,
and consequently others that read my relation,
will probably reduce me to the probate of a cen-

8

100 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

sure. On the other hand, the native who lives
under an expectation, would equally condemn
me for my taciturnity, should I silently pass by
and imprint no remarks on their silty sands, and
silver streams. To this dilemma I am driven by
the censures of some, nor can I escape the cla-
mours of others ; so that I sail betwixt Sylla and
Charibdis. However, I shall use my best en-
deavours to gratify both as near as I can, and
consult the mean and mediums of veracity, so
far as experience and discovery can inform me :
So that I shall say but little more than to tell
the world that Kilmamock is an antient corpora-
tion, crowded with mechanicks and brew-houses.

Theoph. But that's not all.

Arn. If not enough, then you must have
more, it seems ; and not only for yourself, but
for those that are more inquisitous. And what
will they say ? Why you and they both will
tell me, it's only rifling into ruins. Nor, indeed,
is it other, when in our progress we proceed to
prove little more, save only a discovery of ruins
and decays.

Theoph. Be it what it will, however, let us
have it.

Arn. Well, then, if to go one step further,
surely it won't cripple me ; let me tell you, then,
it's an antient manufactory.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 101

Theoph. And what of all that ? Is this more
than what we formerly knew ?

Arn. It's more than I knew, that you knew
so much. But this discourse, Theophilus, bet-
ter becomes an antiquary, than one that queries ;
for, should I but step into her dirty streets,
that are seldom clean but on a sun-shiny day, or
at other times, when great rains melt all the
muck, and forcibly drive it down their cadave-
rous channels into the river Marr, whose streams
are so sullied then, that the river loses its natu-
ral brightness, till the stains are wash'cl out, so
become invisible. All which to ^xambie^ is
enough to convince you, that the influence of
planets are their best scavenger : for the natives
in this northern latitude, are naturally so ad-
dicted to idleness and nastiness, that should not
the heavens contribute the blessings of rain,
they would inevitably surfeit with their own
uncleanliness.

Theoph. All this we will grant you ; the foot-
steps are evident,

Arn. Where, note, these inhabitants dwell in
such ugly houses, as, in my opinion, are but
little better than huts ; and generally of a size,
all built so low, that their eves hang dangling
to touch the earth ; nor are they uniform, nor
hold they correspondency one with another ;
and that which is worse than all the rest, is

102 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

their improper tionate ill contrivance ; because,
when to consider a dwarf of a house so cover-
ed over with a gigantick roof. By which, you
may imagine, our former projectors had but lit-
tle project for curious contrivances ; and, to
speak plain English, as little costly.

The next thing in course that falls under our
consideration, will be their artificers. But the
Moors (more than all the rest) have gain'd the
reputation for the temper of dirks, razors, and
knives, whose temper is so exact, that it super-
excels afc the mechanicks in Scotland. Where,
ixote, you may. observe there are artists amongst
them, though not one good structure to be
found in Kilmarnock ; nor do I remember any
wall it has, but a river there is, as I formerly
told you of, that runs through the town ; over
which there stood a bridg so wretchedly an-
cient, that it's unworthy our commendations
any otherwise, than as travellers commend the
bridg they go over.

Another part of their manufacture is knitting
of bonnets, and spinning of Scotish cloth ; which
turns to very good account. Then, for their
temper of metals, they are without compeer ;
Scotland has not better. And, as they are arti-
zans in dirks, so are they artists in fudling, as
if there were some rule in drinking. So that,
to me, it represents as if art and ale were inse-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 103

parable companions. Moreover, their wives are
sociable comers too ; yet, not to compare with
those of Dumblain, who pawn their petticotes
to pay their reckoning.

Theoph. Here's a jolly crew of alemen (but
very few anglers) crowded together in the small
compass of a little corporation, curiously com-
pacted. For the houses, you may observe, be-
siege the river ; and that river, to divide the
ruiuous ports, left only as reliques that remain
discoverable ; however, it's my opinion, that a
stone wall has incircled the town, since hitherto,
as to observation, there's rarely a town of any
emineney in Scotland, but is, or has been, belea-
gured with a strong stone wall ; but as to that
I'le silence my self.

Am. Well, then, I'le proceed to pilot you
down these solitary descents that direct to the
eminent ports of Air, near whose difficult en-
trances stands a strong citadel, formidable and
spacious, in the base of a pentagon, erected on
purpose to reduce insurrectors.

Theoph. Must we dismount these hills to
traverse those valleys ?

Arn. Yes, surely, we must, if designing to
trace the fertil fields and beautiful plains of the
now famous and flourishing Glasgow, where we
may accommodate ourselves with various curio-
sities ; for the days are long enough, and our

104 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

journey no more than a breathing to Dumbar-
ton. Now, the first curiosity that invites us to
gaze at, is a large and spacious bridg of stone,
that directs to the fair imbellishments of Glas-
gow. But our next entertainment is the plea-
sant medows, and the portable streams of the
river Cloyd, eminent in three capacities. The
first is, because of her numberless numbers of
trout. The second is, because of her multipli-
city of salmon. But the third and last is, from
her native original, and gradual descents ; be-
cause so calmly to mingle her streams with the
ocean. Not that we now consider her florid
medows, nor shall we recount her nativity from
Tintaw, because so strongly opposed and pre-
sum'd from Erricsteen, distant from thence some
few odd miles.

Tkeoph. If you please, let that argument
drop till farther opportunity.

Arn. I am thinking to do so, and proceed to
discourse this eminent Glasgow. Which is a
city girded about with a strong stone wall, with-
in whose flourishing arms the industrious inha-
bitant cultivates art to the utmost. There is
also a cathedral (but it's very ancient) that stands
in the east angle, supervising the bulk of the
city, and her ornamental ports. Moreover, there
are two parish churches ; but no more, to the
best of my observation. Then, there is a col-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 105

lege, which they call an university ; but I'm at
a stand what to call it, where one single college
compleats a university.

Now, let us descend to describe the splendor
and gaity of this city of Glasgow, which surpas-
seth most, if not all the corporations in Scot-
land. Here it is you may observe four large
fair streets, modell'd, as it were, into a spacious
quadrant ; in the centre whereof their market-
place is fix'd ; near unto which stands a stately
tolbooth, a very sumptuous, regulated, uniform
fabrick, large and lofty, most industriously and
artificially carved from the very foundation to
the superstructure, to the great admiration of
strangers and travellers. But this state-house,
or tolbooth, is their western prodigy, infinitely
excelling the model and usual built of town-
halls ; and is, without exception, the paragon of
beauty in the west ; whose compeer is no where
to be found in the north, should you rally the
rarities of all the corporations in Scotland.

Here the reader (it's possible) may think I
hyperbolize ; but let him not mistake himself,
for 1 write no ambiguities : Truth stands naked
in plain simplicity ; and partiality I abhor as a
base imposture. He that reads my relation, and
the morals of this famous Glasgow, will vindi-
cate my description, and place the fault to him
that invents the fable ; for it's opposite to my

106 NORTHERN MEMOIRS

genius, as also to my principles, either to deface
a beautiful fabrick, or contract a guilt by mag-
nifying it beyond its due merit. I have, and
therefore shall, as near as I can, in an equal
poize ballance things aright. Permit me, there-
fore, as a licentiat, to read you but a short, yet
pertinent lecture, and Tie tell you what enter-
tainments we met with in Glasgow, as also what
hopes we have to meet with the like in the cir-
cuit of our intended northern progress. But this
I offer to the dubious only ; if, peradventure,
there be any such as scruple, I'le refer them to
the natives to evidence for me, which I am satis-
fied they will with ten thousand manifesto's.

In the next place, we are to consider the mer-
chants and traders in this eminent Glasgow,
whose store-houses and ware-houses are stuft
with merchandize, as their shops swell big with
foreign commodities, and returns from France,
and other remote parts, where they have agents
and factors to correspond, and inrich their ma-
ritime ports, whose charter exceeds all the char-
ters in Scotland ; which is a considerable advan-
tage to the city-inhabitants, because blest with
privileges as large, nay, larger than any other
corporation. Moreover, they dwell in the face
of France, and a free trade, as I formerly told
you. Nor is this all, for the staple of their coun-
try consists of linens^ friezes, furs, tartans, pelts,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 107

hides, tallow, skins, and various other small ma-
nufactures and commodities, not comprehended
in this breviat. Besides, I should remind you,
that they generally exceed in good French wines,
as they naturally superabound with fish and
fowl ; some meat does well with their drink.
And so give me leave to finish my discourse of
this famous Glasgow, whose ports we relinquish
to distinguish those entertainments of Dumbar-
ton, always provided we scatter no corn.

Theoph. What to think, or what to say of
this eminent Glasgow, I know not, except to
fancy a smell of my native country. The very
prospect of this flourishing city reminds me of
the beautiful fabricks and the florid fields in
England, so that now I begin to expect a plea-
sant journey. Pray, tell me, Arnold us, how
many such cities shall we meet with in our tra-
vels, where the streets and the channels are so
cleanly swept, and the meat in every house so
artificially drest ? The linen, I also observed,
was very neatly lap'd up, and, to their praise be
it spoke, was lavender proof; besides, the peo-
ple were decently drest, and such an exact de-
corum in every society, represents it, to my ap-
prehension, an emblem of England, though, in
some measure, under a deeper die. However,
He superscribe it the nonsuch of Scotland,
where an English florist may pick up a posie ;

108 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

so that should the residue of their cities, in our
northern progress, seem as barren as uncultiva-
ted fields, and every field so replenished with
thistles that a flower could scarcely flourish
amongst them, yet would I celebrate thy praise,
O, Glasgow ! because of those pleasant and fra-
grant flowers that so sweetly refreshed me, and,
to admiration, sweetned our present enterments.
Arn. Now the day-star springs, and the fla-
ming steeds of the sun invite our departure.
The smiles of the weather prognosticate we
shall reach Dumbarton in very good time,
where we may redress and refit such tackle as
shall serve to accommodate both our art and ex-
ercise; for near to those famous and flourish-
ing ports there glides a rapid and peremptory
river, that gulphs forth of the bowels of Loe-
mon, replenished with trout, and, beyond all
measure, of incomparable salmon, (if I calculate
right) where we may sport to-day, and to-mor-
row too, provided the season serve to our pur-
pose. So from thence we may pass into the
fields of Luss, (by fording the Loemon) where,
beyond dispute, we shall gratify ourselves with
such solitary entertainments as the angler most
delights in ; so from thence, by crossing the
Loemon eastward, we arrive in the steril fields
of Bohanan, a situation, by some, thought al-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 109

most inaccessible, by reason of hills and multi-
plicity of boggs.

Theoph. What lofty domineering towers are
those that storm the air, and stand a-tiptoe (to
my thinking) upon two stately elevated pon-
drous rocks, that shade the valley with their
prodigious growth, even to amazement? Be-
cause to display such adequate and exact pro-
portion, with such equality in their montanous
pyramides, as if nature had stretch'd them into
parallel lines with most accurate poize, to amuze
the most curious and critical observer ; though
with exquisite perspectives he double an obser-
vation, yet shall he never trace a disproportion
in those uniform piermonts.

Arn. These are those natural, and not artifi-
cial pyramides, that have stood, for ought I
know, since the beginnings of time ; nor are
they sheltred under any disguise, for nature
herself drest up this elaborate precipice, without
art or engine, or any other manual, till arriving
at this period of beauty and perfection. And
because, having laws and limits of her own, des-
tinated by the prerogative royal of Heaven, she
heap'd up these massy inaccessible pyramides, to
invalidate art, and all its admirers, since so
equally to shape a mountain, and to form it in-
to so great and such exact proportions.

Theoph. Then it's no fancy, I perceive, when

110 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

in the midst of those lofty and elevated towers,
a palace presents itself unto us, immured with
rocks, and a craggy front, that with a haughty
brow contemns the invader. And where below
at those knotty descents, Neptune careers on
brinish billows, arm'd with Tritons in corslets
of green, that threatens to invade this impreg-
nable rock, and shake the foundations, which if
he do, he procures an earthquake.

Am. This is the rock, and that which you see
elevated in the air, and inoculated to it, is an
artificial fabrick, invelop'd as you now observe
in the very breast of this prodigious mountain ;
which briefly, yet well enough, your observation
directs to, both as to the form, situation, and
strength. Moreover, it's a garrison, and kept by
the Albions, where formerly our friend Fcele-
cius dwelt ; who of late, upon preferment, is
transplanted into Ireland : however, Aquilla will
bid us welcome ; and, if I mistake not, he ad-
vances to meet us; look wishly forward, and
you'l see him trace those delightful fields from
the ports of Dumbarton.

Aquil. What vain delusions thus possess me !
nay what idle dotages and fictitious dreams thus
delude me ; if these be ghosts, which I fancy
men. O Heavens ! it's our friend Arnoldus, and,
(if I mistake not) Theophilus with him. Wel-
come to Dumbarton.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 1 1 1

Arn. Thanks, dear Aquilla, thus friendly to
salute us ; we are come to see you, and have de-
serted the beautiful tracts of Albion, to trample
the solitary fields in Scotland. Behold these evi-
dences ; we have brought our rods, where note
you may easily guess our design.

Aquil. Above all men you are fortunate ; for
had you studied an age to time your business for
a day's diversion, the heavens could not shine
stars more propitious. Do but see how the
ground is chap'd and parch'd, and the streams
so lean and barren of soil, as well they may, for
no moisture has fallen to refresh the earth, nor
drive down soil to recruit the rivers and feast the
fish, this month or more, till yesterday ; and then
the clouds began to dapple, the face of the fir-
mament to lowre, the sky to discolour, the air
to moisten, and the spouts of heaven seemingly
to drop : yet when all came to all, it came to
nothing ; for the tears of this storm converted
into a calm ; so exhal'd into meteors, for ought
I know : for when we expected a deluge of rain,
there fell by chance but some few extravagant
drops; which, for greediness, made the fish al-
most forsake the water ; the complexion where-
of being but a little changed, you may fancy, if
you please, to fish under a colour.

Am. Notwithstanding all this I'm for the fly.

112 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Tkeoph. And I'm for any bait, or any colour,
so that I be but doing.

Aquil. Then I'm for the ground-bait, and 1
perswade myself it will turn to best account, and
prove most profitable to answer my expectation :
For with but three sorts offish we must trifle
our time (viz.) the active eel, the dextrous trout,
and the incomparable salmon ; all which will as
greedily pursue a worm, as a luxurious appetite
pursues his paunch* Bring but a brandlin, or
rather a gildtail, and try whether trouts be des-
titute of an appetite.

Theoph. They must have good stomachs sure,
if they be always eating.

Aquil. You are waggish, Theophilus, but really
I am serious ; for now we begin to discover those
silent and solitary deeps, those rapid and swift
falls of water, besides those stiff and strong
streams, that invite us to treat the family offish.
So that I conceive it is almost impossible to di-
rect a line, and miss a reward : And the bottom,
if you please, let us examine that with ground-
bait, to prove the effects of our art and skill, to
summons contribution from so generous an ad-
venture. But if mid- water we consult, then I
commend the canker, with the catter- pillar, or
the grub ; or, if with a depinged locust, you will
not lose your labour ; nor will you starve your
cause, if to strip off the legs of a grasshoper. All

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 113

these are excellent baits, but the green monket
of the owlder-tree super-excels them all. Then
there's the pink (which you call a minew) if dis-
play'd with a swivel at mid- water ; or you may,
if you please, drag him from the bottom of the
deeps, so glide him all along through the region
of limpid streams, the better to display this amo-
rous charm, so obtain the point by the mediums
of art, as already is advisable by consulting the
artist.

Theoph. Now I perceive we but trifle time,
this tedious discourse obstructs recreation. Let
us stretch our limbs with the length of the
streams; we have day enough, and pleasant
weather, why then so vainly to procrastinate
time with flattering thoughts of suggested en-
joyments, which signify no more than honour
in dreams ? Come, my friends, let us reform that
error by the progress of art. So that if our la-
bours be spent to advantage, and our selves, like
artists, sufficiently recompensed by the rod ; we
may sport the day away, and lengthen our ex-
pectation, that to-morrow's recreation, if the sea-
son favour us, may glut us with pleasure, and
burden us with spoil.

Arn. We shall cross the old proverb, I per-
ceive, since no arguments are engines strong
enough to convince Theophilus, that haste makes
waste ; whose unlimited zeal after recreation is

H

114 N011THE11N MEMOIRS.

boundless beyond measure ; insomuch that a
grompus won't gratify him in point of diversion.
Come, then, and trim up your line, and arm
your self, and observe those translucid trembling
streams that dash themselves against those rocks;
hazard your fortune there for once, and be sure
you begin at the head of the stream, and so gra-
dually pursue the extent of your colony, and
fish by direction according to prescription, both
with worm and minevv ; then hope a prosperous
issue, as I question not but you do. In the
mean time let me caution you, that with cir-
cumspection you purdue your self, if intending
to surprize and captivate your game ; for by this
time, I fancy, you have already beleagured them :
Be advised, therefore, to repeat your discipline,
and keep your distance. So I leave you to your
fortune and a fair day, for I purpose to attempt
the head of Loemon ; and about four hours, or
it may be five, let us make our rendezvouz in
the caves of that rock. As for Aquilla, he needs
no direction, whose knowledg and experience
is so general in these streams, that an age to ex-
amine them would not better improve him.
Now let us separate, and each man to his adven-
ture ; but be mindful of the place, and the pre-
fix'd time appointed ; so that after the delicious
toil of exercise, we may produce the issues and
effects of our labours, when successfully we meet,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 115

as I hope we may. Aquilla, farewel, and fare-
wel, Theophilus ; to whom I contribute my
wishes for thy fortunate success, to gain the
laureat froni the best of anglers that pursue the
art.

Theoph. What, do you question it, that know
so well my abilities ? Here I'le stand to my
arms ; and in this solitary place, I'le hazard my
rod and line with my reputation and fortune.

Aquil. Resolv'd like a vertuoso of the rod and
line ; there you may mingle meditations with
your recreations, whilst you consult those purl-
ing murmuring streams that rally from the top
of those craggy mountains : see how they trick-
ling tumble down those solitary rocks, whose
descents, like diapasons, shap'd into musical
sounds, must of necessity invite the fish to dance ;
so that sometimes they elevate themselves so
high, that I have seen them throw themselves a
foot above water. This we call the Contemplative
Angler's Harmony ; and it proves his harvest too,
when they freely bite. So, farewel, Theophilus ;
but remember the rendezvouz at the previous
descent of that spacious rock, beautified with
firs ; not far from thence stands a pleasant grove,
through which there glides a glittering rivulet,
begirt round about with admirable rocks ; search
well those meanders, and you'l find me fishing.

Theoph. It's very like I may, and what then ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

In the mean time, here I'm deprived of society,
except to fancy fish my solitary companions, the
cavities of rocks my sepulchre, and these shady
flourishing trees an emblem of death ; for Aquil-
la, he is gone, and Arnoldus has left me to la-
ment myself, and five hours separation. But
why so melancholy among these purling streams,
that seemingly interpose betwixt my passion,
and their silent murmurings ? ^Do not these re-
peated ecchoes (if I hit the key) lively remon-
strate the life-touches of solitudes, and the true
imitation of sweet contemplation ? Sympathy in
affection, I call that amiable ; and the fair and
beautiful prospect of the mind, that represents
the real signature of friendship.

But this pace, I perceive, won't carry on my
design, nor are complaints proper engines or su-
table instruments to surprize fish. How piti-
fully it looks for the angler to lie puling, whilst
fish, like allegators, are pulling all in pieces, let
any man judg that's destinated to be undone.
Most unfortunate Theophilus, but now too late
to lament thy remissness ; and, rather than un-
punished, let thy shameful loss be enough to
torment thee. What, at once all vanished, no-
thing left but thy self! so that were not I left,
there was nothing to laugh at ; and I worthily
deserve it, because to lose my reputation. What
an opportunity have I lost in losing my rod, and

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 117

an equal fate to lose my exercise ? but from twig
to twig He traverse the streams, and examine
every bush to repair my misfortune ; so that at
leisure I may lie down, and lament my remiss-
ness, for, condemn'd by my self, there needs no
judg to sentence me. Hold a little ! I discover
some thing, either the stock of my rod, or a coun-
terfeit. So, so, 1 shall patch up my losses by find-
ing my rod, for it lay where I left it, and my
bag of flies lies not far from it. And now I have
a patent, I resolve to take toll, and examine
what contribution these streams will advance me.
However, lest precipitancy spoil my sport, He
preponder my rudiments ; and they prognos-
tiate here's a fish, or something like it ; a fair
handsel for a foolish fisher. But here's the old
game again that we had at Dumfreez. This
capering, for ought T know, may cost him his
life, for I resolve to hold his nose to the grind-
stone : dance on and die, this is the way to
your silent sepulchre ; for upon that silty gra-
velly shelf of sand, I resolve to land him, or
lose all I have. And now I fancy him weary
of life, as aged people that are burdened with
infirmities ; yet I want courage to encounter
him, lest fearing to lose him, which if I do, I
impair my reputation. However, He examine
my stock of confidence, and see how far that
will go ; but then I want a landing-hook, and

118 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

he is resolute to make an escape ; and I would
be as resolute to restrain, and, if possible, to con-
firm him my prisoner ; so that what progress to
hope for in this solitary adventure, I know not,
till farther examination. However, here's no
body but trees to reprove me, except these rocks ;
and they'l tell no tales. Well, then, as he wants
no agility to evade me, I'le endeavour with ac-
tivity to approach him ; so that the difference
betwixt us will be only this, he covets acquaint-
ance but with one element, and I would compel
him to examine another.

Navigators report, that fish can fly, and so
shall this, or I'le forfeit my discretion ; and if it
succeeds well that I conquer this fish, matricula-
tion falls, in course, from the vertuosos of the
rod. Now he runs to divert me, or himself;
but I must invite him nearer home, for I fancy
no such distance. Though his fins fag, his tail
riggles, his strength declines, his gills look lan-
guid, and his mettle decreaseth ; all which in-
terpret tokens of submission ; yet the best news
I bring him, is summons of death. Yet, let not
my rashness preingage me to a loss of my game.
For, to neglect my rudiments, is to ruin my de-
sign, which, in plain terms, is the destruction of
this resolute fish ; who seemingly now measures
and mingles his proportion with more than one
element ; and, doom'd to a trance, he prostrates

NORTHERN" MEMOIRS. 119

himself on the surface of the calmes, dead to ap-
prehension ; save only I want credit to believe
him dead, when calling to mind my former fa-
tal precipitancy, that invited me to a loss ; and
so may this adventure prove, if I look not well
about me, to land and strand him on that shelf
of sand, where I resolve, with my rod, to survey
his dimensions. Then have at all, or it may be
nothing ; however, it succeeds well, for I'me in-
sured of a victory. Welcome a shore, my lan-
guishing combitant, if only to entertain our
friend Arnoldus.

I am fast again, or have hold of another fish ;
but I'le undermine his design by an old strata-
gem : for now I have got the way of catching
them, I only want the knack of cookery to dress
them. The exercise of angling obliges me to
love the art ; and I see it's good to hearken to
counsel ; for, had I neglected that, -I had run
retrograde to reason, so lost my reward. But
this fish I fancy is not so resolute as the former ;
this yields himself captive upon slight summons,
so dies by the law and force of artillery. My
hook I perceive has divested him of power ; and
I shall deny him capitulation for life, who must
also change elements with his late predecessor,
or I'le lose all I have to compass my design. I
fancy I have hold of another fish ; if so, I shall
want arguments to express the sweets of this

120 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

exercise, and the pleasure of solitudes to the con*
templative angler. By this you may perceive,
it's necessarily requisite at all times, especially
upon emergencies, to hearken to counsel ; for
indisputably had I pursued irregular measures,
and slighted Arnoldus his solid instructions, so
followed the dictates of my former resolution of
making fish fly, all had flown in pieces : And
how fondly then had I betrayed my own folly,
by exposing myself and my reputation to a loss ?
On the contrary, I can triumph, and say all is
well ; and tell what execution my minews have
done, that my rod and line and swivel's secure.
Where note, I think now to pack up my impli-
ments, and hasten to the place we formerly
agreed upon ; approving it necessary in all socie-
ties to observe the punctilios of promise among
friends. Another thing secretly affects me ; and
that is, to think what an artist Arnoldus will
extol me.

AquiL This is the place, and the prefix'd
time of agreement is at hand ; yet on these glit-
tering sands there's no tract to trace the impress
of the feet of Arnoldus or Theophilus. Surely
angling's all charms, to break the links of the
golden chain of promise. But whither will these
rash presumptions hurry me ? what, to suspect
friendship, the diadem and darling of human so-
ciety ? Yonder he advances, to the place ap-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 121

pointed ; lie step and salute him, and make a
present of my fortunate successes. These are
the toils and the fruits of my labour, which I
freely dedicate to our friend Arnoldus.

Am. Where kill'd you these trouts ? With
what artifice did you surprize them ?

Aquil. With nothing but a minew, some call
it penk.

Am. I understand your meaning ; but where
did you fish ?

Aquil. In those purling streams, at the foot
of that rock.

Am. I should have thought it impossible, did
not these evidences convince me, that so small
a rivulet should lodg and harbour so large a
fish. Here's a salmon, Aquilla, that I but new-
ly tickled to death with a fly ; accept my ad-
venture, I have another for Theophilus when he
comes up with us.

Aquil. He is yonder, I see him coming, and
could heartily wish he had seen but the death of
this brace of salmon, to put a zealous spur to his
exercise.

Am. Besides these salmon, I have two brace
of trouts, that would make a Cockney's teeth
stand a water and spring a leek, for no other
purpose than to tap his mouth.

Aquil. Our fortunes are unequal, the garland
is yours, and never may it wither from your

122 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

heroick brow. Now we shall see what improve-
ment Theophilus has made in this piscatorian
negotiation. Yonder he comes, let us hasten to
meet him.

Am. Welcome, Theophilus ! are our fortunes
equal ? What phenomena of pleasures spring
from solitary rocks ? How fancy you this inof-
fensive life, to sit in the sun-shine, then remove
into shades near the brinks of bubling mur-
muring rivulets, that sigh a pleasant silent soft-
ness, whilst the birds harmoniously deliciat the
air, and fish in frolicks dance corantos to the
angler ; whilst man (lord of the creation) is cap-
tivated with divine contemplation ; fancying to
himself a kind of an Elizium, representing the
shady fragrancies of Paradise ?

Theoph. O, Arnoldus, I was certainly ena-
moured to see how the shady trees hung dang-
ling about me ; whilst the murmuring streams
through the lungs of Zephyrus, made musick to
my fancy, tho not to the pitch of the melodious
Philomel, and the chorus of birds that beat the
air with their mellifluous quires, which springs
fresh thoughts of the non-age of time, when the
constitution of the creation was a composition of
harmony.

Arn. But the luxurious angler admires an-
other concert. He loves no musick but the
twang of the line; nor any sound, save the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ecchoes of the water ; no rest nor pause, but im-
patient till they bite ; no flats nor sharps, but
solitary pools and rapid streams ; no beats nor
shakes, but strugling and strangling ; and, in
short, no close except that of the panier. So
that I may properly call his harmony their hal-
tering.

Theoph. Just such success I had ; for art was
useless to catch such fish, as careless of their lives,
they cast them away. Look here, Arnoldus, I
have brought my evidences ; this brace I caught,
and this catch'd me.

Arn. Here's su table diversion, our exercise
has equaliz'd the ballance of success : Not an art-
ist amongst us barren of sport.

AquiL Nor the water out of temper ; if it hold
so to-morrow, we may flatter ourselves the town's
our own.

Arn. It may be so, if all hits right : What,
two Sundays in one week ? Don't you observe
it rain already ? However, let us trace these glit-
tering sands, to those solitary fields that direct
to Dumbarton : We have spent the time to suf-
ficient advantage, had there been nothing more in
it than initiating Theophilus, whom I perswade
myself will consult the art, and manifestly in
time approve himself eminent.

Theoph. Come, gentlemen piscatorians, and
vertuosos of the rod, Dumbarton begins to pre-

NOUTHEllN MEMOIRS.

sent unto us ; where like heros we may triumph,
because from these fords to carry off such tro-
phies, as will evidence for us the remarks of
spoil ; and where the inhabitants must be indi-
gent of civility, if not civilly to treat us, whilst
we commode them with the choicest treasures of
Loemon. What think you, gentlemen ? your
opinion on the measures I have taken.

AquiL I approve on't very well.

Arn. So do I. But first, if you please, let us
enter their ports, and examine the distinction be-
twixt diet and disease. As also we may consult
if their beds are burdensome after exercise ; which
I desire to experience, and the rather, in regard
(as I perceive) by those signals, the sprinkling of
rain, we must be forced to depart to-morrow
morning.

AquiL A sentence too severe ; we cannot
morally separate so soon.

Arn. Morally or naturally, it must be so ; for
when the coverings of rain shut up the case-
ments of day, and darkness as a pavilion over-
shades the night, it's madness to contemplate
recreation in angling, when the rivers are hour-
ly recruited with rains.

AquiL I approve not of hasty resolves, as prog-
nosticate a parting before we meet ; the law of
friendship binds it otherwise.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 125

Theoph. A very bad handsel to earnest our se-
paration.

Aquil. So it appears : for should every man
measure his present occasion by the rule of ne-
cessity, my duty compels me to the turrets of
Dumbarton : And how disconsolate shall I be
to discourse rocks and stones, when deprived
the society of my friends and associates ?

Theoph. One day more, Arnoldus, will break
no squares ; let time arrest us, lie put in bail.

Aquil. Here's a friendly advocate to furnish
us with fresh arguments, that may bring about,
for ought I know, new and fresh results after
the series of second thoughts : Who so unkind
now to frame a parting, or denounce the sen-
tence of a farewel to morrow ?

Am. That must I, to wander in the fields of
Luss by sun-rise ; otherwise we shall not reach
liohannan by sun-set.

Theoph. So then, my mouth is stop'd, I per-
ceive ; nor have I any thing more to offer by
way of argument, only my lamentation for our
so sudden separation. Aquilla, farewel ; Arnol-
dus and I must jog on together : but assure
your self, if my stars are but so propitious as to
favour my return by the way of Dumbarton ;
no body, Tie assure you, shall be more solicitous
than Theophilus, to redouble a trouble upon

1

126 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

our friend Aquilla ; and for more than a night :
And so farewel.

Aquil. I cannot part.

Arn. Then go along with us.

Aquil. That's morally impossible ; how can 1
leave my charge?

-> Irn. Then pray discharge us ; for we are up-
on duty.

AqinL Be prosperous and propitious, He pray
your welfare ; and contemplate your enterprizes
in all vertuous actions.

-•//•;/. This your kindness obliges me to retali-
ate, with as much piety as becomes a Christian.
So farewel.

Theopli. And with as much religion as be-
comes an angler, accept of my charity : So fare-
wel.

Arn. Now, Theophilus, let not sleep circum-
vent us; the Loemon, I perceive, begins to
swell. We must rise with the sun, or sooner,
if possible : we must not trifle nor delay the
time in crossing the Loemon, if we intend to
stretch up the lofty mountains in the island of
Luss.

Theoph. I see 'tis day, for the blazing torch of
the sun begins to paint the universe. Let us
mount our horses, to mount this mountanous
country of Luss, where the hills represent the
lofty Alps.

NORTHERN MEMOIIIS. 127

Arn. Look back on those inferiour fabricks
in the Low-lands ; whilst we ascend these emi-
incnt high High-lands, that supervise those
shady valleys below them ; which we now relin-
quish, though beautified with rivers and plea-
sant rivulets.

Theoph. What little Mediterranian is this ?

Arn. The large and spacious Loemon, so ge-
nerally discours'd for the floating island ; but it
floats not here in these solitary Western Fields,
as fictitiously supposed by the ignorant report-
ers. But our travel will reform that error in
time, when we come to trace the mountains be-
yond Badanoch.

Theoph. Is this Lough, as reported, so nu-
merous in islands ?

Arn. Yes sure; however, I shall give you
but a short description. This Loemon, as you
see, is immerg'd with the High-lands. On the
west it's bounded with the island of Luss ; but
on the east with the barren fields of Bohanan :
norward it's begirt with the pass of Inchcallow ;
and southward by Dumbarton, and the bounds
about it. But the length of this Loemon is
twenty-four miles ; and twenty-four islands, the
natives will tell you, are lodg'd in the arms of
this spacious Lough. Her breadth, in the largest
place, not to exceed three leagues over ; and in
the narrowest part, some two or three miles.

128 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

This small Mediterrane (as you are pleased to
call it) is surrounded with woods, mountains,
rockey, boggy, sandy, and miry earth ; and is
the greatest inland sea in Scotland; nor is it
parallel'd with any southward ; and all the north
inferiour to it ; excepting only the Lough called
Ness. Now from Loemon under the bray of
these lofty hills, we pass to the Kirk of Drum-
mon, that leads to Aberfoil ; a more remarkable
pass than that of Inchcallow, if designing to
make inroads into the bowels of the Highlands.

Theoph. What place is this ?

Arn. Beautiful Bohanan, besieged with bogs,
and barrocadoed with birch- trees ; the High-
landers landskip, and the Lowlanders prospect ;
whose boggy swamps incommode the traveller.
However, the natives in the winter-season, em-
ploy themselves only to recreate swine there,
because a people uncultivated in agriculture.
Where note, the accommodations of this soli-
tary country is so rarely understood by the na-
tives and inhabitants, that strangers for the most
part are left destitute of a report.

Theoph. What other fabrick's that, distant
about a mile from Bohanan ?

Arn. That's Kilmarnock, the only relique of
the Dukes of Lennox; a very strong stone
house, that stands most sweetly situated on the

XOUTHEKN MEMOIRS. 129

very brinks of famous Leven ; whose fields are
inhabited by the clan of the Stewarts.

Theoph. A royal name ; but a loyal poor clan,
as I am told.

Am. It's true enough ; so let us relinquish
the suburbs of Leven, to trace the flourishing
skirts of Calvin, whose smiling streams invite
the angler to examine them ; for here one would
think the stones were steep'd in the oil of Oes-
pres, to invite the fish to come ashore : where
you may observe every bubling stream reflect a
smile on the amorous banks, covered with green,
and enamell'd with flowers. Here also the syl-
vans upon shady bushes bathe themselves in sil-
ver streams ; and where trouts, to sport and di-
vert the angler, will leap on shore, though with
the loss of their lives : so that if demonstration
be truth, and eye-sight evidence to convince the
incredulous, there's not a rivulet in Scotland,
upon the angler's examination, superexcels this
Calvin, for diversion with small trout ; whose
translucid streams, because so rich in themselves,
and so numerous in trouts, make them not over-
curious of self-preservation ; for with a rod in my
hand (but I almost blush to report it, because
suspecting the incredulity of some incredulous
persons) I have ushered to those pleasant and
delightful shores, ten or twelve brace of trouts
in an hour.

130 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Distant from Calvin about some two miles
eastward, stands dull Dunkeeth, upon the head
of a slaty rivulet, that's replenished with eel, and
plenty of small trout : but more southward yet
is craggy Cragbarnoch : from whence north and
by east we discover the ruinous battlements and
unpolished turrets of sooty Glorret. It's true,
the natives call it a castle, but I fancy the name
of a house would have served as well : near to
which place glides the glittering Kaldar ; a large
and spacious rapid river, accommodated both
with trout and salmon : but the access lies too
open, more especially amongst her pleasant gli-
ding streams, where the angler, if lord of his
exercise, may expect incredible entertainments :
whose foundations are laid in gravelly sand, and
interchangably mix'd with shining stones that
look not unlike to golden granulaes : but were
they such, I should fancy Tagus but a toy to it.
Because to imprint in the angler's memory those
remarkable characters of shining rocks, glitter-
ing sands, and falls of water, which 'tis morally
impossible he should ever forget.

Not far from this dingy Castle of Glorret,
stands delectable Kilsieth ; in whose martial
fields Marquess Montross defeated his country-
men. North-west from thence we must top
those burdened mountains of Compsy, whose
weeping rocks moisten the air, representing the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 131

spouts ; and are a lively emblem of the cataracts
of Nile. From whence we descend to the Kirk
of Compsy ; near to which kirk runs the memo-
rable Anderwick, a rapid river of strong and stiff
streams ; whose fertil banks refresh the borderer,
and whose fords, if well examined, are arguments
sufficient to convince the angler of trout ; as are
her deeps, when consulted, the noble race and
treasure of salmon ; or remonstrate his ignorance
in the art of angling. Besides this Anderwick,
there are many other small rivulets that glide
up and down these solitary parts, omitted in this
paragraph, because not having time to insert
them.

Theoph. This travelling state (Arnoldus) re-
minds me of the old proverb (viz.) A rolling
stone gathers no moss, nor we any money ; which
runs somewhat parallel. But it's all one in time,
for time must be untim'd in the cusp of eterni-
ty ; then shall we be found in an eternal state :
and as eternity is infinite in it self, so is it the
ray of the majesty of God, who created the hea-
vens, the elements and orbs ; and gave unto
them perpetual motion and rotation, predestina-
ted to the ends of time, unmeasurable by any
except himself. Whilst thus contemplating
what's sacred and divine, we trace along the gli-
ding streams of Anderwick, guarded with trees,
and knotty rocks ; as delightful and pleasant, for

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ought I know, as were the myrtle groves, so son-
neted by poets.

Arn. As I am of your opinion in that, so I
suppose you'r of mine in this, that though sin
untune the strings of the soul, yet sin cannot
unstring the soul ; the faculties are left still,
though in such disorder, that all the wit of man
can no more tune them, than the strings of an
untun'd lute can dispose themselves for harmo-
ny, without a skilful musician's hand. By this
we know God governs the world, who also rules
in the heart of man, and makes it a temple for
the Holy Ghost. So let us pass on with our
travelling design (by the house of Cardrus) to
the ports of Sterling ; where stands a beautiful
and imbellished Castle, elevated on the preci-
pice of an impregnable rock, that commands
the vallies, (as well as the town) and all those ha-
bitable parts about it : those are the turrets that
present before us, let us enter her ports, both
strong and spacious ; whose incircling arms sur-
round a city, (but not a great one) that's built
all with stone ; so is her castle ; and situated
close by the river Firth, as above explain'd, up-
on lofty, craggy, and mountanous rocks, almost
inaccessable. More southward yet the city
spreads it self into many sweet situations, that
invigorate the inhabitants, and accommodate the
Low-land merchant rather than the mariner with

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 133

profitable returns from the hills, by the High-
lander. The Firth runs here that washeth and
melts the foundations of the city, but relieves
the country with her plenty of salmon ; where
the burgo-masters (as in many other parts of
Scotland) are compelPd to reinforce an ancient
statute, that commands all masters and others,
not to force or compel any servant, or an ap-
prentice, to feed upon salmon more than thrice
a week.

Tlieoph. Is there such a law in force now ?

Am. Yes sure, for ought I know it remains
to this day : and the reason of it is, as I conceive,
from the plenty of salmon in these northern parts,
that should the inhabitants daily feed upon them,
they would inevitably endanger their health, if
not their lives, by surfeiting ; for the abundance
of salmon hereabouts in these parts, is hardly to
be credited. And the reader I fancy will be of
my perswasion, when he comes to consider that
the price of a salmon formerly exceeded the va-
lue of sixpence sterling, which I suppose no
English man will grudg, nor think it unreason-
able to give at any time ; so that the danger, in
my opinion, lies most in the diet : for as salmon
is a fish very apt to surfeit, more especially fresh
salmon, when only boiled ; which if too frequent-
ly fed on, relaxes the belly, and makes the pas*

134 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

sages so slippery, that the retentive faculties be-
come debilitated ; so suffers the body to be hur-
ried into a flux, and sometimes into a fever, as
pernicious as death. Which is much better pre-
vented by abstinency, than to stand the test of
uncorrected physick.

This famous Firth is the most portable river
in Scotland, whose streams, because meandring,
make it deep and torpid ; so fit it for naviga-
tion ; for below Bridg there are neither streams
nor sharps ; but above Bridg there's enough,
more especially towards the flourishing fields of
Montieth, which I rather prefer, than Alan dfad
Althrwery, for the angler's diversion, except
Frith and Koak ; the one for pearl, but the other
for trout.

Theoph. What town is this ?

Am. Dirty Dumblain ; let us pass by it, and
not cumber our discourse with so inconsiderable
a corporation ; our itch after Mockeny puts a
spur to quicken our expectation ; for who knows
but the various alteration of weather may in some
measure frustrate those expectations we may
have of those admirable streams to answer our
designs ?

Theoph. Do what you please.

Am. Truly I think it but time lost, to sur-
vey the reliques of a ruinous heap of stones, that

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 135

lean o're the verge of a river, facing the moun-
tains. The houses, it's true, are built with stone,
but then to consider them low and little, it plain-
ly demonstrates there's nothing eminent but nar-
row streets, and dirty houses ; a convincing ar-
gument there's no scavengers amongst them.
And for their houswifery, let that alone ; for if
you touch it, you sully your fingers. There is
a market-place, such an one as it is ; but as for
merchants, there's no such thing in nature. But
a palace there is, and a cathedral too, otherwise
Dumblain had nothing to boast of.

But there is one thing remarkable, and that's
the house of Domine Caudwel (a formal peda-
gogue) that absolv'd the thief, and conceal'd the
theft, so lost his breeches ; for you must know,
the good woman his wife was a notable comer,
one of the first magnitude ; who, with two more
of her consorts, (as I was told, at a four hour's
drinking,) guzled down as much ale and bran-
dy, wine and strong waters, as amounted to the
sum of forty pound Scots. But wanting money
to pay her reckoning, she liberally pawned her
husband's breeches ; and he, like a fop, to redeem
his wife's reputation, would never redeem his
breeches, lest suspecting they should smell of
the tears of the tankerd. And here, as reported,
was celebrated that famous union of Doh and

136 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Doris, stark love and kindness, a custom invio-
lable. Here also resided jovial Bille Sincleer.

Now, you are to consider, that this pittiful
pedling corporation of Dumblain, has little or
no trade amongst them, except now and then a
truck with a brandy-man, a tobacco-merchant,
or a brewster-wife ; for ale, tobacco, and strong
waters, are the staple of the town : And so let
us leave them, to pursue our intended design
for Minever, and Dromon- Castle, that stands dis-
tant about some three miles from the Bridg of
Ardoh ; where there runs a small rivulet of a
rapid motion, paved with a slaty bottom, but
the access difficult.

And here we cross the moor to Mockeny,
whose limpid streams are pleasant beyond re-
port, and her fords generally furnished with
trout, as if nature had there designed to enter-
tain the contemplative angler, in those liberal
streams, where the artist in a storm may shelter
himself under shady trees, elevated upon lofty
mountains, over the melting amorous smiling
banks; as if the boughs were barnicles, and ready
to drop into the silent glittering streams, that
glide softly along a delightful meadow ; except-
ing here and there some small cataracts of water
that tumble down a precipice of rocks, that en-
circles and surrounds great stones in the sandy

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 137

foundation of this mystical Mockeny, whose
glittering sholes are gently moved by the soft
breathings of Zephyrus, that dash the smaller
waves ashore, and discover to the angler the in-
tricate angles of Mockeny, so that here we as-
sume a poetick liberty, in some sort, to call
Scotland Arcadia.

Theoph. This is a pretty romantick notion.

Am. Call it what you will, you will find it
so, when you come but a mile below the bridg,
over which we must pass from Dromon to Tille-
barn ; there you'l see a large and spacious rock,
that surrounds the water on every side, so makes
a dam near the stern of a mill, on the skirts of
Mockeny ; where swiftly, yet sweetly, the water
glides along those knotty craggy torrs and cliffs,
till at last arising at an astonishing precipice,
where, dilating it self, yet, as if unwilling to be
divided, on a sudden you shall see such trepida-
tions on the surface, as if the streams were sen-
sible to apprehend a fear ; and waters not sepa-
rate without grief at parting.

Theoph. Now you begin to be metaphorical.

Arn. There's no metaphor in't. Have not you
seen burdened clouds embodied with the trea
s tires of rain, ready to distil ? if so, then look on
the top of that craggy mountain, and there you
may see, as if the waters, by a prophetick fore*,
sight, had foreknowledg of a disjunction, exprest

138 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

by their melting drops : Nay, the rocks them-
selves are heard to murmur, and the very winds
to whisper rebellion. This is the place of those
harmonious descants, which I fancy musical, and
syrenical charming notes betwixt Neptune and
^Eolus. So that I'm of opinion waters make
musick ; and he that doubts it, let him angle
for anchovies.

Theoph. Surely you fetch'd this notion a great
way from home.

Am. It's no matter where I fetch'd it, it's
here now. This natural precipice shall evidence
for me, at the sun's declination, when he shades
his beams in Thetis lap, and the purple pavilion
of night overspreads the creation ; then you may
see a chequered rocky pavement emboss'd like
the firmament, with spangled stars ; where those
elevated waters (emblems of clouds) no sooner
approach this natural precipice, but Boreas bus-
tles to curl the softned streams, with such surly
salutes as force a separation, so makes obvious
discoveries of nature's artifice, so naturally deli-
neated, that the more ingenious observer would
conclude it artificial. Over which precipice the
waters pass with a swift, but silent motion, to a
cristalme fountain guarded with the rocks, and
the ornament of trees ; at whose descent runs a
rivulet, that divides a medow worthy a descrip-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 139

tion, could we but describe it, by reason of the
variety it naturally affords.

Theoph. I am still in the dark. What mean
all these metaphors?

Am. You will know the meaning of them by
and by. Look up to those solitary mountains,
situated south, and you shall see them send a
pleasant smile towards the north. Yet, because
wanting the beautiful ornament of trees, a sheep
in a shower cannot shelter her self. But, on the
north side, there stands inaccessible torrs, with
cliffs and rocks well burdened with timber, re-
sembling, as to my fancy, a hermit's cell, or a
solitary reception for the Rosy- crucian. But na-
ture (and not the native) appropriates them to
other uses, where a country seems barren of so
great devotion, I had almost said charity, but
some will say humanity ; however, these holes
serve the foxes to earth in, the rivers for fish,
and the otter to swim in ; the meadows and pas-
tures for sheep to graze in ; the trees, reception
for innocent birds ; and the shrub, protection
for the timorous hare.

Theoph. There is something yet behind the
curtain, I perceive.

Am. Mockeny, O Mockeny ! must 1 leave thee, when
Thy banks o'reflow with pleasure ? Must I then
Be banish'd from those pleasant draughts that I
Have often stoln, when as thy streams stole by ?

140 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Besides, those pleasant sleeps that I have had
Upon thy rocks, until thy skies were clad
Almost with darkness ; when the angler's art
Exprest a grief; nay, double grief to part
And leave such harmless toils : Tell me, can those
That never knew the art, the art disclose ?
How shall they know what patience is, and write
Of mysteries they never had a sight ?
None but the anglers can ; and this I'le say,
None have the gift of patience more than they.

Theoph. Now, it is out.

Arn. And now you think you have it ; let
us relinquish the sweet streams of Mockeny, and
steer our course for Dromon ; and there you
shall see the majestick brow of a rock, and a
castle inoculated to it.

Theoph. And what of that, if they are undis-
tinguishable one from another ?

Arn. There you'l see how the artist form'd
this formidable structure to imitate nature, but
the natural strength defaceth the ornaments of
art. However, let us step one step further into
the garden, (demolished with age, or rather ne-
glect,) to view the curiosities of those remaining
reliques.

TJieoph. What must we expect there ?

Arn. A beautiful arbour adorn'd with primp
hedges, and a sumptuous dial, to tell us the
hour of the day.

Theoph. A wonderful piece of curiosity.

MEMOIRS. 141

Am. So it is, in this angle of Scotland ; for
Dromon lies just at the foot of the Highlands,
surrounded with woods of fir, ash, and elm ; but
sy com ores grow here to an amazing bigness,
whose spreading arms shade the soil about them,
and their bole and brisk burden the earth.

Theopli. What else is there here remarkable ?

Am. The rills, rivers, loughs, and rivulets,
that meander not far from Dromon. And Lead-
nock, as I take it, is the first small rivulet, and
Rothwel the next, both of them furnished with
delicate small trout. But continuing our course,
we advance to Lough Ern, immerg'd with moors
and mountains, yet it floats on the skirts of the
Highlands ; from whence rusheth forth a vio-
lent torrent, whose boistrous streams are sud-
denly converted into a river, which bears the
name of the lough ; whose streams, if well exa-
mined, are never unfurnished with trout, nor
are her more solid deeps unaccommodated with
the race of salmon, besides pike and perch ; and
for silver-bellied eels, Scotland has none better ;
nor, do I believe, any part of the wrorld has. So
that the river Ern, for variety and choice of fish,
is inferiour to no other river in Scotland.

Theopli. Now you say something to purpose ;
pray, go on.

Am. Here we must cross some of these fords,
if we intend to touch at Lough Minever, whose

142 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

flourishing deeps charm the angler, and enchant
the fish. Nay, I must tell you, that this Lough
Minever is plentifully stored with pike, that con-
tributes to the artist, the largest Lucit in Scot-
land ; on the skirts of whose rotten foundations,
there remain as yet the reliques of an ancient
castle, but so tatter'd and torn, and o're- grown
with age, that nothing is left on it now worthy
a description ; nay, probably in its flourishing
times there was but little to describe.

A little more than a mile from this Lough
Minever, and nearer yet to the body of the
Highlands, Lough Torret tumbles down her ra-
pid streams that melt into a river, and is called
Glen-Torret; because, as I suppose, having its
original from the glen, and the craggy clifts and
tors to which it is espoused, where the angler
may accommodate himself with eel and trout ;
but for more varieties, he must fish somewhere
else. Beneath the descents of Torret, are the
swelling banks of Kelthy, in whose rocky bowels
the trouts shine yellow.

Distant yet more north, and inclining west,
beyond this craggy Kelthy, there runs a rivulet
which the natives call Shaggy, the only rivulet
in Scotland for the contemplative angler; not
only by reason of the great quantity of trout it
contains ; nor is it because it's so narrowly be-
girt with delightful hills and flourishing trees,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 143

that hang dangling about them ; nor is it be-
cause of her rocky mountains, through which
the waters continually issue, and tumble down
like the cataracts of Nile, though they make not
such a noise ; but here it was that I found my
self surrounded with fountains, and mellifluous
aviaries of sweet singing birds that melted the
air. And here it was above the Kirk of Moinee,
where methought I only envied the rude in-
habitants, because so happily bless'd with such
sweet accommodations. But below this Kirk
of Moinee stands a tottering bridg, and below
the bridg there's a most pleasant level, where
the sparkling sands seem gilded with glittering
streams : And the river so naturally fretted and
beautified with stone, as if nature intended
there also to compensate the contemplative an-
gler. Here also the trouts shine with a glitter-
ing blackness, and swell with thickness ; yet
never arrive to that magnitude of proportion, as
to parallel and vie with those in Pitloyl.

More south from Moinee, runs the river Al-
mont, a derivative from the mountains, and not
from the rotten and spungy foundations of the
moors, through which it glides ; nor has it any
claim or title from the Lough Minever, as su-
perstitiously surmiz'd by the unintelligible in-
habitant. Now besides this Almont, there's not
another river or rivulet hereabouts worth our

144 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

mentioning, excepting the Poe, in whose little
pools there are perch and pike, and now and
then a lusty trout But I had almost forgot
the lough called Balloh, at the foot of Drumon,
wherein there is perch, but not a trout ; and
truly I question if there be a pike.

Theoph. O Arnoldus, who could ever have
imagined such charming temptations amongst
a people so unpolished in art, and a country
without cultivation ? Here's all miracle of ri-
vers and rivulets, and as miraculously furnish-
ed with fish. What shall I say, or what shall I
think, if not to contemplate these solitary fields,
as pleasant and delightful as fools paradise, by
fondlings called Elizium ? Who can deny him-
self such diverting associates, (though in a rude
part of a country,) when their rivers and rivu-
lets are so liberally furnished with trout ? What
pity is it to leave such entertainments behind
us, to ramble the remote northern tracts of Scot-
land, where the eves e're long will hang with
icikles ?

Am. It may be so, for here we cannot stay
to inhabit, nor any longer enjoy these solitary
recreations ; we must steer our course by the
North Pole, and relinquish those flourishing
fields of Kintire and Innerary ; the pleasant
bounds of Marquess Argile, which very few
English-men have made discovery of, to inform

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 145

us of the glory of the Western Highlands, en-
rich'd with grain, and the plenty of herbage.
Eat how the Highlander will vindicate Bowhi-
der and Lohabbar, with Reven in Badanoch,
that I know not ; for there they live like lairds,
and die like loons, hating to work, and no cre-
dit to borrow, they make depredations, so rob
their neighbours. But let not Kintire, like an
ignis fatu us, lead us out of the way, our stars
direct to Tippermore.

Theoph. Why to Tippermore, is there any
thing remarkable there ?

Arn. Yes, there's this remark as a monu-
ment, (fatal to the Covenanters) for here again
it was that Marquess Montross routed his coun-
try-men. But our next stage is to the town of
St Johnston's (very little different from those
imbellishments of Sterling ;) east from the town
lie those flourishing meadows they call the Ince,
where a citadel was erected and surrounded by
the navigable Tay, (that washes those sandy
banks and shores^ which no sooner mingles her
streams with Dundee, but she loseth her name
by espousing with the ocean.

Theoph. Is this the river Tay, so much dis-
cours'd by the Highlanders ?

Arn. They have reason to discourse it, for it
leads into the hills : Moreover, it supplies them,
as all the inhabitants hereabouts, with fresh fish,

K

146 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

to whom she contributes all her accommodations.
Now over this Tay, at the north end of the town,
there stood a stone bridg that leads to Kennule ;
a mountanous place that tantaliz'd the taylor
with an invisible stone : it's a pleasant story,
but I'm unwilling to tell it, lest fearing to draw
the maleson of the natives upon me.

Theoph. Never trouble your self with that ;
was it my task, I should venture a relation free-
ly, with all the circumstances, whatever came
on't.

Am. I think I dread their clamour as little as
any body ; therefore I'le proceed, and tell you
the story. In this town of St Johnstons liv'd
a pragmatical taylor, (as taylors, you know, for
the most part are) but here they call a taylor
master-fashioner forsooth, and that you must
know makes him one step higher. But to the
story. This infatuated taylor, with some other
idle coxcombs, in all respects as conceited as him-
self, w^ent on a certain time to these mountains
of Kennule, to search thereabouts for an invisi-
ble stone, that accidentally slipt from a stranger's
hand, as he carelessly rid along to view the coun-
try. This strange accident made a horrible noise
all here about ; and all diligence possible was
used by the taylor and his nitty companions to
find this stone ; yet the stone was invisible.

Now amongst the rest of our admirers, the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 147

Lady of Kennule entertains the novel ; and re-
solves an adventure for the invisible stone, who
with her female attendants several times sur*
rounded the hills, and stooped to take up every
shining stone ; so that for the most part they
were always in motion, except at other times
upon the removal of stones, with responses to
one another in the Scotish dialect. I see ye,
see ye me, till almost every body see them all.
So asham'd at length to prosecute the design
any farther, (since stretch'd so far, it was ready
to break) despairing of their enterprize, and the
recovery of the stone, they left their successes to
the indefatigable taylor, and his prickear'd crew ;
that day after day so hounded these hills, as
hitherto no church-yard has been haunted with
goblins.

But on a certain sun-shiny day (in the even-
ing) as some townsmen were returning from
the ports of Dundee, and espying the taylor in-
specting the stones, one of these townsmen (He
warrant him a wag) dismounts from his horse,
having dealt with his companions to take him
to town : who, the better to manage his con-
triv'd design, and put a trick upon the nitty
taylor, kept at a distance behind him ; till at
length he calls aloud, as the lady and her wo-
men had formerly done. I see ye, see ye me.
But the taylor on a sudden, because seemingly

148 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

surpriz'd, replies, In fa, sir, I tro I see ye. How-
ever, the townsman pretends to be serious, (and
the rather, because seeing the taylor all alone)
till at length the taylor concludes him in earnest.
So that now being freed from suspicion on both
sides, they jog on together (like Tory and Trim-
mer) the uneaven tracts of these mountainous
ascents ; till the taylor stooping to take up a
stone, and confidently bleating aloud to the
townsman, I see ye, sir, see ye me ? — In gude
fa, sir, no, the townsman replied ; where are you
won, sir, I can no see ye ? — I am here, quo the
taylor, and can ye no see me ? I would you
were any where, the townsman replied, so that
I could but tell where to find ye. And smiling
to himself looks another way ; then repeats it
again, But whar shall I find ye ?

Now for certain, quo the taylor, I have got
the stone, by which means, beyond measure,
lie inrich my self, for I have tryed all ways to
do it without a court of conscience. How many
people have sought for this treasure, but no man
so happy as my self to find it ? I may go where
I will, for no man can see me ; and stand where
1 please, for no man can find me ; and take what
I list, (for taylors are thievish), and no man de-
tect me ; and if feat affrights me, yet no man
can hurt me. To convince the world, therefore,
and mankind in general of this rare and admi-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 149

rable invisible stone, I'le strip off my clothes,
and go stark naked through the streets of the
town ; and so mist all the eyes of the people
about me, that no body shall see me, nor any
body know me. — Know you, says the townsman,
no body can see you ; then how should they
know you ? — Say you so, quo the taylor ; can
no body see me ? — No, says the townsman, since
you made your self invisible. — Why, then, quo
the taylor, I may do what I will, and go where
I list, and no man the wiser. So you may, says
the townsman, since now you'r invisible. But
favour me I beseech you this small request, that
before we depart I may once again see you.

AVith that the proud taylor, transported with
joy, discharged both his hands, and laid down
the stones. Which his subtile associate no sooner
observes, but presently he cries aloud, Now, sir,
I see you. And more to strengthen and con-
firm the miracle, on a sudden the taylor snatch'd
up the stones again, lest fearing his companion
should by some trick deprive him ; and fancy-
ing himself, as formerly, invisible, they both ad-
vance towards the town of St Johnston's. But
the taylor went naked, who no sooner entred
the ports of the town, but the mob and the rab-
ble having combined together to pelt the poor
lay lor into his senses, if possible, who run the
gantelop through thick and thin, young and old,

150 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

for every boy had a switch at his breech ; and
those at a distance that could not reach him,
assaulted him with stones ; which so claw'd the
poor taylor, as by the marks on his buttocks,
convinced him at last to believe himself visible.

TJieoph. I think the taylor met with his match.

Arn. So think I, if he was not overmatch'd.
And so let's leave him to lick himself whole,
whilst we return to the bridg of the town of St
Johnston's, where a coker-boat serves now to
transport their merchandize into the county of
Angus, and some other parts ; which looks some-
what odly, but it concerns not us, for we can't
redress it ; those that are compell'd may suffer
by it. So let her sleep the sleep of oblivion,
whilst we direct our course towards the river
Errit, where we may inform our selves of a prac-
tice amongst the natives there, that murder a
salmon without a rod, net, or speer ; and cook
him almost as soon as they catch him.

T/ieopk. How can that be ? pray unfold the
riddle.

Arn. It's discours'd by every body, when a
stranger comes amongst them, that the inhabi-
tants presently run and fetch a pot, which they
circumspectly place upon some part of a rock,
and then dextrously convey some live coals un-
der it, (or it may be turf), which is no sooner
fan'd by the breath of air, but immediately the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 151

flames fly all about. Now you are to consider
that the race of salmon, especially the female in
the vernon ^equinox, is for the most part pick-
ing and casting against the rapid streams. And
in this river Errit it's always observable, there
are plenty of stumpy knotty rocks, to which the
native, without difficulty, can pass and repass
from one rock to another ; and the rather to fa-
cilitate this mortal design, they set the pot on
some seeming floating rock, to which (as I am
told) their observation directs them ; which
rock, it may be, is almost drown'd in water.
Now this artifice is no sooner perform'd by the
rude engineer, but the salmon, because casting
after her usual manner, often casts away her life,
by leaping into the pot instead of the pool.

Theoph. I cannot approve of this murdering
artifice.

Arn. Nor I neither ; but the manner of ac-
tion is thus performed. For the salmon, you
must know, by reason of agility of body, (and
considerable strength) so bends and contracts her
self, by taking her tail (as suppos'd) in her teeth ;
then, like a well-tempered spring that suddenly
and smartly unbends and flies off ; even so doth
the salmon, with a strange dexterity, mount the
air (out of the water) an incredible height ; but
because unprecautioned how to distinguish the

152 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

elements, and perhaps wanting foresight of this
imminent danger, she frequently encounters the
boiling water, which no sooner she touches, but
her life is snatch'd away by the suffocating
fumes, that immediately strangle her ; and thus
the poor salmon becomes a prey to the native,
when only in the pursuit of nature's dictates,
whose laws and rules are circumscrib'd and
bounded by the soveraignty of him that made
the creation.

Theoph. This, I must needs say, is a barbarous
practice, but a quick way of cookery.

Arn. Such kind of cookery will serve a Scots
commoner, as lives on the bray and skirts of the
Highlands. But we relinquish these pleasant
streams of Errit, to patrole the fields of Cooper
in Angus, where Scotland's great general (the
Earl of Leven) was born promiscuously of ob-
scure parents. In this little corporation of Coo-
per in Angus, the chief Magistrate is a bayliff,
master sometimes of a brewster-house ; where we
may refresh our selves, before we trample the
sands of Hay, imbellished with rocks, and lofty
trees, that shade her shining murmuring streams,
and shelter her numerous sholes of fish, especial-
ly towards her source, where you may observe
the shores shine of a golden colour, resembling
the glittering sands of Tagus. And the river

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 153

Dean so fam'd for pike (though unfortunate for
trout) gulphs into Hay near Mighill bridg.

Theoph. What place is this ?

Arn. Old Drumkelbo, an ancient superannu-
ated castle, that adjoins to a certain moor called
Tipprofin ; which, in my opinion, resembles the
Stygean Lake, (rather than the Elizium fields)
whose solitary bounds are large and spacious,
mossy and boggy, full of pits and horrid black-
ness ; a resemblance (to my fancy) of the courts
of death.

Now this Tipprofin got it's name from an un-
fortunate priest, that travelling those unfrequent-
ed tracts, accidentally fell into a mossy, moorish,
boggy pit ; which sudden disaster surpriz'd the
priest, and the rather, because, when to see him-
self plung'd into the arms of death, without any
prospect of timely relief, this made the poor
priest unlock the doors of his lips, that like dou-
ble diapazons unlock'd the air sooner than the
ears of the obdurate native, that inhabited the
verge of this solitary moor. So that by this
time finding his complaints insuccessful, only the
repetition of his dolorous cries from reverbera-
ting rocks and cavities of earth, it stirr'd up a
sorrowful silence in the priest, which at last led
him into a profound contemplation ; fancying to
himself he liv'd now in his grave, and every ob-
ject a Caput Mortuum.
12

154 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theoph. The priest, I perceive, was in a very
bad pickle.

Am. And so would you, had you been in his
case ; but this meditation no sooner expires, when
the bogs and moors ecchoe again with such hi-
deous shouts, and dismal cries from the terrified
priest, as if some evistre or apparition had pre-
sented before him the horrible and terrible ap-
prehensions of death : but it happened otherwise,
(and it's well it did) for some natives and inha-
bitants of the fields in Angus (were breaking of
earth, and digging for turf) who hearing a noise,
and an imperfect sound, as they thought, breath-
ing from the bowels of the earth, it dreadful-
ly startled them at first : but after some time de-
liberating among themselves, and resolving, if
possible, to sum up the cause of these horrible
cries ; their ears were a second time assaulted,
by a fresh supply of miserable lamentations that
sprung from the repeated complaints of the poor
pensive priest, who was almost come to a period,
and winding up the bottoms of his dolorous
howlings.

Theoph. But the priest, I hope, got relief at
last, who it may be till then had forgot how to
pray.

Am. You cannot forbear jerking the priest,
who by this time seem'd destitute of all moral
comforts, and as little hopes of relief, notwith-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 155

standing his breathings forth of a formal penance,
lamenting his unfortunate, unlucky mischance,
that threatned his exit, if no more priests in
Scotland. So in a fainting fit, he faintly cries
out with an articulate voice, because his breath
began now to expire, which certainly had in a
very short time extinguished, had not the inha-
bitants pursued the ecchoes to that dismal pit
where the priest lay bogg'd; imploring the Deity,
with eyes and hands held up towards heaven,
using these and the like expressions, Ex pro-
funditatibus te inclamavi, Jehova. And though
the people understood not his Latin, yet their le-
nity and common charity, with other requisite
endeavours, brought him relief, and hal'd him
forth out of his formidable confinement. Since
which remarkable time, to this very day, the na-
tives and inhabitants that inhabit thereabouts,
do call this moor by the name of Tipprofin.

Theoph. Why then it seems he christned the
moor.

Arn. And you seem here to christen the priest,
for the priest gave name to the moor of Tippro-
fin ; and the witches (if there be such) gave name
to Pitloil ; as if priestcraft and witchcraft were
inseparable companions.

Theoph. What's amiss now at the Lough of
Pitloil ?

Arn. You shall have it when I can come at

156 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

it, and that won't be long first. South and by
east from these mountanous elevations, we dis-
cover two large and spacious loughs ; the one of
them is called by the name of Loundy, but the
other lough is called Pitloil, divided from each
other by an isthmus of land, or the interposition
of a small mountain. I frequented them both
to fish for perch, because to my experience the
largest in Scotland, if twenty inches and better
can be thought a large perch : and having to my
curiosity examined them apart, more especially
Pitloil, I declare it as my opinion from several
examinations (and approved experiments) that
both of them super-abound with plenty of perch ;
which infinitely augments the angler's entertain-
ments : Nor do the waters mingle one with an-
other, when each of them find a different pas-
sage, to discharge themselves into the streams
of Tay. But in this narrative I thought requi-
site to inform you, that Lundy exceeds by much
in plenty, though Pitloil to a miracle exceeds in
largeness.

But Van Helmont tells you, in fol. 684. That
in the Lake of Lemane, a trout doth oftentimes
ascend unto an hundred pound weight. And
the natives that inhabit this solitary part of
Angus, will tell you of trouts of such vast dimen-
sions, that I dare not report without being sus-
pected ; so render my self and relation ridiculous.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS 157

A trout also was taken in the river at Ware, and
presented to Charles the First, then King of
England, which trout was of such a vast proper-
tion, as would seem incredible for me to report ;
which for any man's satisfaction the figure of it
as yet remains (for ought I know) at the George-
Inn in Ware, to convince the incredulous, if any
be suspicious.

A pike also Van Helmont tells of, that a sign
hung on him is noted to have lived three hun-
dred years, and to have grown to an amazing
bigness ; nor then to have died, but by a violent
death. Great pikes I have also observ'd to be
taken out of the Lough of Minever, that have
measured more than a yard and a half ; and such
were surprized with a hook and a line. So in
the rivers of Lire (nigh the village Rumst) an
eel was taken, which was sent to Brtixels, unto
the Emperor Charles the First ; which was ob-
served to have been seventeen foot in length.

Another notable relation I have from a gen-
tleman, born in Nottingham-shire ; his name is
Armstrong, whose grandfather very much af-
fected the rod : and trolling in some river there-
abouts, but whether in Trent or the river Soar,
he remembers not ; however, he encountred a
lusty pike that disarm'd him, both of his hook
and his hopes at once ; so melancholy he left off
his recreation for that time, but the ensuing day

158 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

presented an occasion for our angler to travel ;
and, as his custom was, after dispatch of busi-
ness, he mingled some solitary recreation with
his employment So steering his course to the
water- side, and viewing the fords, he observes a
shole of fish fly to the shallows for sanctuary ;
by which he imagined the fry was assaulted;
so that presently, near the deeps, he lets his bait
drop, which, unexpectedly, was suddenly en-
eountred ; and he, like an artist, gave his exa-
minant the law of fair play, so destroyed his as-
sailant ; and having by this time landed his ad-
venture, he presently goes about to discharge
his arming, but reaching forth his hand to dis-
gorge his captive, he becomes suddenly surpriz'd,
because then to find in the late conquered fish,
not only one hook, but another also ; which he
certainly knew to be his own, that but the day
before was forced away from him ; which, after
examination, he found it was. Now this fish
was observed to have travelled fifteen miles in
twenty four hours. For that end I offer this
discourse, that the travelling fish never arrives
to that maturity of growth, as does the fish that
is idle and slothful ; for by how much his mo-
tion is in the river, by so much the better and
more nutritious is the fish.

Now that witches inhabit near this Lough of
Pitloil, I am of opinion, provided there be any.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 159

But whether there be or be not such mortal de-
mons, I suspend my judgment, and proceed to
the adventure.

Tlieoph. I long to hear it, and you are loth to
come at it.

Am. Have patience but a little, and you shall
have it. Early one morning (before the sun had
adorned the day with his beautiful beam of light
to gild the azure firmament) I set forward, as at
other times, to this fatal Lough of Pitloil ; and
riding along, observ'd a large and lusty hare (but
they call her Maukin) sitting upon a large and
gritty stone, washing and furbishing her face
with her feet ; and on the bought of her near
buttock (as to my observation) was branded a
remarkable patch of an obscure blackish colour,
altogether different from the rest of her fur ;
which appeared to the bigness of a five shilling
piece of new minted silver ; but dismounting my
horse, she discovered me approach her with my
greyhound-bitch, which I suddenly slipt, and
she as suddenly forsook her station, but trusted
so little to the nimbleness of her heels, as if her
life was but of little value. On the other hand,
my bitch was so slow in her motion, as if they
had mutually combined not to hurt one another.
So leaving that pursuit to pursue my first inten-
tion, I left the mountains to trace vallies to this
unfortunate Lough of Pitloil ; for what happen-

160 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ed afterwards will commission me, I question
not, so to intitle it ; where I found my grey-
hound-bitch, but no fur in her mouth.

Tlieoph. What of all this ? Pray be brief.

Am. lie be as concise as I can. That very
time, I remember, a peer of the realm went (with
me) in company, to this Lough of Pitloil, to which
place, when we arrived, and dismounting our
horses, to imprint our feet on the silver sands ;
(it's a liberty I assume to call them so, in regard
of their glittering whiteness) and searching for
the boat, we found it was removed into a more
remote and solitary part of the Lough ; so we
sent some attendants to seek for the man that
rowed the boat ; nor were they long in their in-
quisitions before they found him, as they un-
luckily passed by the doors of some ill contriv'd
huts, or obscure caves, that resembled dungeons
rather than habitable houses ; where sometimes
he usually reposed himself, there, or thereabouts,
because in expectation that some or other would,
come that day to visit the Lough ; which hap-
pened accordingly to his apprehension.

Now by that time our attendants were come
up with those female infernals that inhabited
those hutts, and enquiring for the skipper to pi-
lot the boat, he makes himself known, that he
was the man that paddled in the pool with a bad
and crazy weather-beaten boat. So they desired

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 161

him to hasten away, with such tools and instru-
ments as he had to assist their design. To all
which he readily seemed to comply with, in hopes
of a gratuity which he afterwards obtained. But
before they departed from those ugly earth-holes,
an ill-contrived urchin, or a cur out of shape, and
deform'd, (as they described him) but we call him
a tarrier, and they by the name of a whitwratch,
(bastard- brood of the fox) as the servants appre-
hended ; so might any man as well as they ra-
tionally conclude, as by the circumstances given
us by their description.

A beautiful spaniel I had at that time (pro-
pined me by the lady of an eminent peer) fol-
lowed after the horsemen ; which the elph in
pursuit of, had fastned on him, but was sud-
denly rescued by my greyhound-bitch (formerly
discoursed) and perad venture with some small
detriment to this ugly elph : Which when the
hag had enviously observed, she hastned in the
elph, and suddenly after was heard to express
unsavory words, very diabolical, with charms
and threats ; besides various antick gestures
and postures, both with her head and body ;
that at present occasioned abundance of laugh-
ter among them ; as it did after their departure
from those sordid infernal huts or habitations.

Theoph. We shall have something on't by and
by, I perceive.

L

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Arn. Doubt it not ; for no sooner the boat
touched the sands, but as soon I committed my
person to the Lough, as calm and as smooth as
a sea of glass ; and so it continued, till the sun's
advance to climb the meridian ; but afterwards,
my fortunate success became unsuccessful, for
after his declination the scene was changed ; and
then my labours prov'd all abortive, for the beau-
tiful prospect of my morning's diversion was
changed and clowded with tragical conclusions.
It's true, I went ashore to refresh my self, in re-
gard a cold capon, and some other good provi-
sion was provided for me, and this noble man's
refreshment ; who sat down with me under the
shades of rocks, not far from the brink of this
Lough of Pitloil ; where we both eat and drank
together, till finding our selves sufficiently re-'
fresh'd ; and then I arose, and took leave of this
honourable peer ; so returned to the boat again,
to steer my former course, as also to observe what
interest the Lough would now afford me for
those hooks and lines I left behind me.

But no sooner I had committed my self to the
boat, and rowed to the place where I left my
tackle, but on a sudden, and unexpectedly, I
was interrupted by the loud acclamations of some
on shore, that shouted and made signals, by beck
of hand, (because by this time I was almost out
of distance) advising my return ; which I no

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 163

sooner interpreted, but hastned to the shore as
fast as I could ; for by their seeming disorder,
as I then apprehended, some unexpected acci-
dent had hapned amongst them. So that I for-
cibly forced my passage through the thickest
waves ; and being by this time arrived on shore,
I was entertained with the unwelcome news of
my land-spaniel's indisposition ; but too late, I
found, to rescue him from death. So reflecting
on my self, that beginnings have conclusions, I
directed my steps back again to the boat, to re-
cover my armed tackle left behind, on purpose
to surprize such fish as were shame-fac'd to bite
before me.

Now this was the third time I entred the boat,
in order to pursue my angling enterprize : when
a fresh summons alarms me from the ecchoing
shores, to come back and testify another strange
accident, not inferiour to the former ; because to
stand by as an evidence, and see my greyhound-
bitch lie a-dying, whom I presently found as
stiff as a stake, (or a stump) whilst as yet her
body was as warm as wool ; nor could I say she
was totally dead, yet I'm sure she was altogether
deprived of motion. So I hastned from the morts,
and returned to the Lough, to draw up my lines
which I left behind me ; and though having met
with two such fatal discouraging accidents (with

164 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

solicitations from this honourable person) I pur-
sued my first intention ; so brought off my lines,
and left the Lough in a foming rage ; and now
you shall hear what hapned on shore. Not far
from this Lough stood a small mountain, where-
on some inhabitants had built a kiln ; to which
place we directed a servant for fire, that pre-
sently brought it ; but we hardly knew the use
on't before the kiln was all in flames, ajid burnt
so vehemently, that in a short space the whole
fabrick was consum'd and burnt down to the
ground : So I left my recreation, and took my
leave of the unfortunate Pitloil.

And now give me leave to return to Drum-
kelbo-castle, and tho but ill contrived, and as ill
situated, in regard it stands near to the moor of
Tipprofin ; yet not far from thence are the flou-
rishing fields of Mighill, beautified and adorned
with stately sycomores ; as are her meadows sur-
rounded with rivers and rivulets. In the midst
of whose plains stands a parochial church, where-
in lies interr'd the royal corps of King Arthur's
consort ; with the reliques of some other wea-
ther-beaten monuments that age has almost blot-
ted out ; but the queen's tomb, I observed, was
surrounded with martialists, that when living
so, in death paid homage at her princely sepul-
chre.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 165

These are those cultivated fields of Mighill,
where King Arthur's stone stands to this very
day. It's true, because traditional among the
antiquaries, and why not as true because a su-
perstition amongst the inhabitants, who will tell
you with as much confidence as they mumble
their pater noster, or with as much impudence
as you can credit with ignorance, that that very
stone was King Arthur's table, when his royal
campaign encamp'd in those fields ; which he left
behind him as a relique to posterity ?

Theoph. Or rather because he could not take
it with him.

Am. You will have your joke, I perceive ;
however He proceed to the pleasant banks of
Hay, where the angler, without difficulty, may
take a view of a large and spacious river of
translucid streams ; where a storm seldom in-
vades the shores, nor any immoderate winds
much to incommode them, in regard the water
runs most on a level, and the banks very blough ;
more especially when attempting the head of
Reven, where the angler may observe most ra-
pid falls and stiff streams, which are seldom or
never unaccommodated with trout, besides the
generous race of salmon, the nature of whose sex
and species (this opportunity presenting) invites
me to discover a most admirable secret.

For as I was angling one time on a sun-shiny

166 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

day, in these limpid and transparent streams of
Hay, I was constrained, in regard of the exces-
sive heat, to relinquish her inflam'd sandy shores,
to seek umbrage (where I could get it) from
some shady trees ; but none I found there to
harbour and relieve me. However, by this time
I recovered a meadow, which generously com-
moded me with a hauthorn-bush that nature had
planted by the river side (which served me for
sanctuary) whose dilating boughs, spreading as
an umbrella, they defended me from the scorch-
ing strokes of the sun, where also I lay closely
conceal'd, the better to inspect nature's curiosi-
ties.

For whilst reposing my self under this tiffany
shade of diversified leaves and flourishing twigs,
that hovered over the brinks of this amorous
Hay ; on a sudden I discovered a very large sal-
mon, leisurely swimming towards the leeward-
shore ; and having considered the sun at his me-
ridian, I thought it needless to provoke her with
fly, or any thing else, more especially at such a
time when I knew her indisposed to divert her
self either with food or frolick. Where, note,
the more circumspectly I traced her with my
eyes to pursue her, the more and greater still
was my admiration, because to mark her from
place to place, till at last I saw her arrive on a bed

of sand, which scarcely, to my apprehension, co-

10

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 167

vered her with water ; for I am confident it ex-
ceeded not the depth of one foot ; where, with
her tail she rigled to and fro, so long and oft, till
I visibly discovered a flat slaty blewish stone,
over which she oft-times contracted her body ;
nature provoking her to eject her belly, which
at last she accomplish'd, to my surprizing amaze-
ment.

But this was not all ; for as soon as that pro-
ject was performed by the female, with most ac-
curate swiftness, she lanched herself forth into
the more solid depths ; which was no sooner per-
formed, when as suddenly I recovered the view
of another, as afterwards will appear by the fol-
lowing circumstances : For out of that solitary
and profound depth of water, wherein the female
had concealed herself, there sprung up a male
(or something like him) that swam directly as if
hal'd with a cord, to that very place where the
former fish had ejected her belly, (but some call
it spawn) and there performed such an admira-
ble office, as you will hardly believe, though I
tell you the truth.

Theoph. However, this is remarkable ; pray,
let us have it.

Am. The female, I have told you, has shot
her belly upon a large and blewish slaty stone ;
and the male, as by instinct, to discharge his of-
fice, dilates his fins, and futters about, till at last

168 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

he directs himself over the ejected matter, where
with his nose, as I then apprehended (though I
will not warrant fish to have a scent) rooted as
a swine, or something like it, yet were the wa-
ters at that time undisturbed ; when on a sud-
den, and with a violent motion of body, he
throws himself about, invading the calms with
such a strong ebulition, as if some pondrous
stone had struck the surface ; but it was not long
e're I see him again, though for the present he
seem'd to me invisible.

And then my observation led me curiously to
observe him direct his head to the former place,
and contract himself after the same manner
which the former fish had formerly done. This
I visibly and plainly saw ; which, together with
his active and exerting motion, a spermatick
whiteness of a milky substance issued from him,
not much unlike to jellied cream : All which re-
marks I signally notified, and by all the circum-
stances my judgment could direct to, I conclu-
ded him the milter, because there to shed and
scatter his milt upon the ejected foremen tioned
belly ; which with my eyes I then beheld, and
visibly saw ; and therefore take the boldness
confidently so to report it. Believe it that will,
refute it that can ; I know no better evidence
than eye-sight. But lest any man, through ob-
stinacy, or a vain incredulity, arraign the truth

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 169

of this my observation, lie direct him a prece-
dent, and go no farther than the brood of perch,
because both are barrel-bellied fish, and answer-
able in some measure to the race of salmon ;
which if he do, he may rationally conclude that
nature's laws are alike to both.

Now the milter, because having discharged
himself with some little labour, and as little
trouble, suddenly recovers again the depth of
the water, with most accurate swiftness; nor
have I rarely seen'a more violent motion : whose
absence in a trice invites the female fish, and she
no sooner returns to the place, dictated beyond
dispute by the mediums of nature (which I
think no wise intelligent man will deny) works
a trough like a cistern in sand or gravel, and,
as near as I could guess, of about her own
proportion ; into which trough, with nothing
save the spring of her tail, she jumbles and
tumbles in theprima mater ia9 according to Aris-
totle ; but proximo, materia, if you credit San-
divogius, who allows, a visibility of the second
matter, but not of the first : So gently she co-
ver'd it over with sand, and then left it to the
great luminaries for vivification, and the semi-
nals, because having a prolifick virtue, and life-
quality innated in them. Life inevitably shines
forth after certain days, accidents omitted ; be-
cause the lustre of life is a thing so sacred, that

170 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

the lubeck of conspiracy strikes to blot it out.
Thus much, therefore, as relates to the progeny
of salmon, I being an eye witness, do boldly
testify ; and as boldly divulge ; if seeing be a
good basis for any man's belief. And this I be-
lieve, and confidently assert, and therefore re-
port it to the world for a truth.

Theoph. O, how rare and admirable are the se-
crets of nature ; who useth no engine nor arti-
ficial prescriptions ! Your former relations seem
prodigies in nature ; but this, as if beyond her,
surpasseth admiration.

Am. Nature made naked is nothing but won-
der, and Scotland is a kingdom and country of
prodigies. Look forward and behold that tot-
t'ring bridg, we must pass over it to the town
of Eliot, a small country-village, one would
think it dropt out of the skirts of the High-
lands. And this is the town where famous Le-
ven (Scotland's great general) was surpriz'd in
his quarters by the English cavalry. Not far
from this bridg of Reven, the streams being trans-
lucid, you may see under water irregular rocks,
and knotty broken stumps of trees, that stand
in the streams of famous Hay. Where the swift-
ness of the current undermines the sand, and
delves great pits that secure the salmon from
the sentence of death, except such as are desti-
nated to die by the decrees of age, or their own

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 171

extravagant prodigality, in pursuit sometimes
after fictitious novelties; as when they relin-
quish the rocks in a bravado, to challenge death
by a different fortune. For then is the time the
prejudicate native consults his opportunity to
put in execution that barbarous practice of mur-
dering fish by moonshine, as at other times to
martyr them with the blaze of a wisp and a barb-
ed spear.

TJieoph. What, are these canabals, or murder-
ing moss-troopers, to surprize fish by the engine
of fire-light ? Such dark conspirators sprung
from the mines in Florida, Fawks, or Cataline ;
or some infernal incubus.

Am. These are those amorous banks of Hay,
so famously extoll'd for diversion ; for in those
solitary streams you see before you, by industry
of art, and dexterity of the rod, I have had trouts
come ashore, and leap in my hand.

Theopli. That's by reason they could leap no
where else; but how far have we now to the
bridg of Dean, discoursed every where for the
plenty of trouts ? and if fame be a true oracle,
they tumble up and down there, till the artist
pleases to exchange their element, and court
them ashore by force of arms.

Am. That's the place, near those glittering
sands, and rocky foundations ; where you may
observe the trembling streams swiftly, yet sweet-

172 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ly glide along ; but not as cataracts to terrify the
fish, by reason their fall is so gently moderated,
amongst those knotty stumpy rocks. I call it
a river enrich'd with inhabitants ; where rocks
are landlords, and trouts tenants. For here's not
a stream but it's furnished with trouts ; I have
angled them over from stem to stern, and drag'd
them forth, brace after brace, with nothing but
a hackle, or an artificial fly, adapted to the sea-
son, and proportioned to the life. Humor but
the fish, and you have his life; and that's as
much as you can promise your self. O, the di-
version I have had in these solitary streams ! be-
lieve me, Theophilus, it surpasseth report. I
remember on a time, when the clouds let fall
some extravagant drops, which in a manner dis-
coloured the surface of the water, then it was
that amongst those stony cisterns, where you see
the tops of the rocks make a visible discovery, a
little above that trembling stream, if you mind
it ; there stands a stumpy craggy rock, peeping
perceptibly out of the water. From thence,
and above those slaty foundations, I have struck,
and killed many a brace of brave trouts ; a re-
ward beyond my labour and expence.

Theoph. I question it not ; but what's here,
the arcanum of angling ?

Am. Yes sure, and the treasure lies in those
trembling streams that come tumbling down to

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

wash the cheeks of those pallid rocks; from
whence they gently glide along with generous
dews, to moisten the florid marly banks; and
tinged as you may see with a rubido, they strike
a vivid tincture into the flourishing streams:
and thus the complexion of the water was chan-
ged, (once upon a time), when I fished those
streams, where the trouts, to divert me, and
augment my entertainment, came ashore to
court me ; and courteous beyond curiosity, laid
their lives in my hand.

Theopli. Then they gave you handsel, I per-
ceive : but this is some amigma, pray explain it.

Am. It's no more an ^enigma than a trout is
a trout; for you must suppose him an active
fish, who no sooner finds himself intangled, but
he plunges, and breaks the surface of the streams,
thinking thereby to disintangle himself, and re-
prieve himself from the danger of death, that al-
ready has laid an arrest upon him. Thus by
picking and casting, he casts his life away ; so
swims ashore to hear the angler's doom, in whose
breast lies the sentence of life and death. On a
certain solitary and gloomy day, the face of the
firmament was sullied with clouds, that rolTd to
and fro, but did not melt. I remember I arm-
ed with a glittering fly, the body composed of
red twisted silk, intermingled with silver, and
an eye of gold, the water in temper, (as you now

174 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

observe it), but the wing of my fly was the dapple
feather of a teal ; the day, as prenoted, promis-
cuous and gloomy ; and the clouds, as I told
you, stained with blackness ; but no noise of
thunder disturbed the air, nor was there any
symptom or appearance of rain, save only some
sprinkling scattering drops, that trickled down
the marly banks, and moistned the cheeks of
the craggy rocks ; so amalgamizing the molli-
fied earth with water, (to my observation), in-
vited the fish from their habitations ; insomuch,
that the streams were not charms strong enough
to contain them, for in frolicks, as I apprehend-
ed, they made haste to meet me ; and that was
as much as to complement death : but the land-
ing, I confess, was difficult enough, by reason of
distance, and the hazardous passages I frequent-
ly encountred, because of rocks; which with
difficulty I evaded. But that I need not re-
count, when only designing to recite the execu-
tive part of angling, in order to which my en-
suing discourse will instruct you in the art, and
in the mystical intrigues of the angler also.

Theoph. Ingenious instructions will signalize
the art easy, and impregnate the artist. Let the
luxurious surfieit with the sins of the age, I'le
trace the angler's footsteps, and pursue this in-
offensive life, and silver streams, to propagate
and cultivate the art ; so compleat my self an

NOBTHKHN MEMOIRS. 17«>

artist in this mystical artillery : for I can raise
my ambition no higher than the device, fashion,
and form of flies ; with advice also for their ma-
nagement, together with seasonable time and
use.

Am. That was my intention, had yon never
mentioned it ; but were it to another, I should
rather refer him to our modern assertors. For in-
deed the frequent exercise of fly-fishing, though
painful, yet it's delightful, more especially when
managed by the methods of art, and the prac-
tical rules and mediums of artists. But the
ground-bait was of old the general practice, and
beyond dispute brought considerable profit ;
which hapned in those days, when the curiosity
of fly-fishing was intricate and unpracticable.
However, Isaac Walton (late author of the Com-
pleat Angler) has imposed upon the world this
monthly novelty, which he understood not him-
self; but stuffs his book with morals from Du-
bravius and others, not giving us one precedent
of his own practical experiments, except other-
wise where he prefers the trencher before the
troling-rod ; who lays the stress of his arguments
upon other men's observations, wherewith he
stuffs his indigested octavo; so brings himself
under the angler's censure, and the common ca-
lamity of a plagiary, to be pitied (poor man) for
his loss of time, in scribling and transcribing

176 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

other men's notions. These are the drones that
rob the hive, yet flatter the bees they bring them
honey.

Theoph. I remember the book, but you in-
culcate his erratas ; however, it may pass muster
among common mudlers.

Arn. No, I think not; for I remember in
Stafford, I urged his own argument upon him,
that pickerel weed of it self breeds pickerel.
Which question was no sooner stated, but he
transmits himself to his authority, viz. Gesner,
Dubravius, and Androvanus. Which I readily
opposed, and offered my reasons to prove the
contrary ; asserting, that pickerels have been
fished out of pools and ponds where that weed
(for ought I knew) never grew since the non-
age of time, nor pickerel ever known to have
shed their spawn there. This I propounded
from a rational conjecture of theheronshaw, who
to commode her" self with the fry of fish, be-
cause in a great measure part of her mainte-
nance, probably might lap some spawn about
her legs, in regard adhering to the segs and
bull-rushes, near the shallows, where the fish
shed their spawn, as my self and others without
curiosity have observed. And this slimy sub-
stance adhering to her legs, &c. and she mount-
ing the air for another station, in probability
mounts with her. Where note, the next pond

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 177

she happily arrives at, possibly she may leave
the spawn behind her, which my Compleat An-
gler no sooner deliberated, but drop'd his argu-
ment, and leaves Gesner to defend it ; so hufFd
away : which rendred him rather a formal opi-
nionist, than a reform'd and practical artist, be-
cause to celebrate such antiquated records, where-
by to maintain such an improbable assertion.

Theoph. This was to the point, I confess ;
pray, go on.

Am. In his book, intituled the Compleat
Angler, you may read there of various and di-
versified colours, as also the forms and propor-
tions of flies. Where, poor man, he perplexes
himself to rally and scrape together such a par-
cel of fragments, which he fancies arguments
convincing enough to instruct the adult and
minority of youth, into the slender margin of
his uncultivated art, never made practicable by
himself I'm convinced. Where note, the true
character of an industrious angler, more deser-
vedly falls upon Merril and Faulkner, or rather
upon Isaac Owldham, a man that fish'd salmon
but with three hairs at hook, whose collections
and experiments were lost with himself.

Theoph. That was pity.

Arn. So it was, but to thee, Theophilus, so
well improved, if salmon or trout be your re-
in

178 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

creation, remember always to carry your dub-
bing-bag about you ; wherein there ought to be
silks of all sorts, threads, thrums, moccado-ends,
and cruels of all sizes, and variety of colours ;
diversified and stained wool, with dogs and
bears hair ; besides twisted fine threads of gold
and silver : with feathers from the capon, part-
ridg, peacock, pheasant, mallard, smith, teal,
snite, parrot, heronshaw, paraketta, bittern, hob-
by, phlimingo, or Indian-flush ; but the mockaw,
without exception, gives flames of life to the
hackle. Thus arm'd at all points, with rods rush-
grown, hooks well temper'd, and lines well ta-
pered, you may practise where you please in
any river in Scotland, provided always the sea-
son be sutable. And forget not be sure to pur-
due your distance, always taking the head of a
stream, and leisurely fish downwards, lest your
game discover you, and flie before you.

Another observation, is the various change
and complexion of the water, occasioned some-
times by immoderate gluts, intemperate and
violent gluts of rain, issues of land-floods, soil,
and silt, from off the shores. These and the
like observations ought to be the consideration
of every ingenious and practical angler. And
this is the proper season to exercise with the
ground-bait ; for should any man, under the
pretence of an artist, remain destitute of these
9

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 179

prenoted qualifications, proclaim him a block-
head ; let him angle for oisters.

Theoph. But what must we do when the fords
are discoloured ?

Am. I have already told you, that the ground-
bait then is most profitable for diversion. But
imagine it like this adapted for fly. Observe
those insects, and slender emits that accost the
streams and bubling fords ; not doubting, but
with diligence, you may easily surprize them ;
which, if it succeed not to your intention, tra-
verse with your eye those landskips of rocks,
that at a distance lie buried almost under water,
or from those knotty brows of broken banks,
that stand within distance ; otherwise clap close
down on some flat or level, which equals the
surface of the gliding streams : where it behoves
you to condescend and stoop sometimes to your
knee, or it may be closer order, if need so re-
quire ; always observing the hovering fly that
flutters aloft to allure the fish, how wantonly he
sports himself with death, when to court a fa-
miliarity with that that destroys him.

Theoph. But what if this design prove abor-
tive ?

Am. You must then clap down beneath some
rock, or you may shelter your self in the cavi-
ties of earth : so with curious inspection, and di-
ligent observation, the brightness or the gloomi-

180 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ness of the day considered, fashion your device
according to art ; considering the general cure
for proportion, as also the season, by the rule of
contraries. For the brighter the day is, the ob-
scurer your fly ; but the more promiscuous the
season is, by so much the more ought your fly
to be bright and shining. I also advise you to
prepare the ground and body of your fly with
bear's-hair, as at other times from the obscuri-
ties of wool ; but then let the head be obscure
and dark, since generally most flies their heads
are blackish. The wing also you may strip from
the pinion of a teal, which above measure al-
lures the trout to destruction. But if novelties
affect, as frequently they do, you must then con-
sult your flies to excel one another, if provided
you design to advance your recreation. But
presupposing the day be gloomy, as frequently
it happens from melancholy clouds

Theoph. What's then to be done ?

Arn. You must then consult a brighter fly,
which is better understood upon serious prac-
tice ; for I extol no man a proficient in the art,
that is undisciplined in the academy of experi-
ence.

Theoph. But some men I observe are more
ingenious than othersome. ,

Arn. Otherwise I should allot them an acci-
dental fate : for convinced by observation, I am

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 181

easily perswaded that some artists gain experi-
ence with little difficulty ; when as othersome
acquire it not without great industry : for where
natural endowments accommodate the highest
form in arts, their theory and practicks seldom
justle for precendency. Thus the day and the
season always considered, the artist, I fancy, may
sport at leisure, provided he design angling his
recreation.

TJieoph, Are there no mediums set down as
a standard in the art ?

Am. Yes, surely there are, but considering
your capacity, it will add but little to those in-
structions. However, I'le discover another no-
table secret, though less practicable, yet proba-
bly more advantagious than adventuring a fly
according to fashion.

Theopk. Pray, unriddle the mystery ; it's some
aenigma, I fancy.

Arn. The paradox explained ; first take a
trout, rip up his belly, and examine his maw to
see what remains unconcocted ; and if it be in
fly-time, you will find some there ; for he loves
to insinuate himself among insects, (for flies are
insects,) and are upon the main the matter he
preys on. Procrastinate no time, for the diges-
tions are swift ; be quick, therefore, and you
will find some there ; and as near to the natural
form as your ingenuity admits of, contrive such

182 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

another in figure and proportion, which without
delay, make an experiment by spreading the
streams with your artillery : and if it answer not
what in reason you expect, take the freedom to
proclaim me no projector. But be cautious and
circumspect in all your approaches, and be dex-
trous and diligent when and how you strike.
Fish by direction, but put no force upon your
exercise ; so that when you observe your game
advance, and raise himself to encounter his prey,
fix diligently one eye to attend his motion, and
keep the other on the point of your rod ; avoid-
ing all silly and foolish circumstances ; only re-
member to answer a foot exactly with that hand
that reacheth forward, beginning always at the
head of a stream, and so patrole to pursue your
game downwards, otherwise you may confident-
ly assure your self, the fish becomes fugitive, so
flies before you.

TJieoph. I shall mind your directions, and
pursue your instructions.

Am. Well then, I'le proceed. A calm air, you
know, prognosticks a cessation of winds ; and a
breez being wanting to furl the deeps, by what
art will you contrive to raise a trout in a deep,
torpid, and solitary river ? Mind what is said ;
be sure you stand close, and prudently conceal
your self behind some rock, or some shady bush :
then, with the hazard of nothing but a drack,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 183

which if not attainable, then search out some
other natural fly, and dibble be sure lightly on
the surface of the deeps, you raise him beyond
dispute, and as certainly kill him ; for this na-
tural novel has no compeer, and the artificial is
but the representation. Where note, the green
drack pleads the precedency, then the gray ; the
former from the issue or product of a codworm ;
but the latter as to observation proceeds from
the straw-bait.

Theoph. A very significant and proper dis-
tinction.

Am. Now, besides close order, great curiosity
is requisite in tackle ; for the more accurate the
artist is, by so much the more will the art be
express'd. For that end, let your rod be shap'd
like a rush, the line exactly tapered ; your hooks
well tempered, and as well compassed ; not too
stiff, nor yet too pliant ; their points well drawn
out, and as sharp as needles, but their birbs as
stiff and as strunt as bristles ; the wing of your
fly also well flourished, and well pinion'd ; and
so snug as to carry the point always downward.
These are necessary observations in trout-fish-
ing, more especially to the contemplative and
ingenious artist, rather than to those paper-
scull'd buffoons, devoid of reason, and as indi-
gent of patience, as the man that hang'd him-
self, because the hangman was not ready ; that

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

confront the art, because fish won't meet them
half-way ashore, and leap into their laps before
they come near the water-side ; where you may
see them stand like so many star- gazers, gazing
on the fish, and the surface of the streams ; whose
aspect, if possible, would terrify a grampus, that
seldom or never satisfies their appetite, till their
avaricious desires have victualed the pannier.

Theoph. These mudlers shall never merit the
title of anglers, nor their arguments a better re-
putation than affronts ; mercenary slaves, that
murder all they meet with, and hunt like otters
to accommodate the paunch.

Am. Thus our discourse of the river Dean
has diverted us to the fields on the north of Re-
ven, which indeed was a considerable part of my
design ; because I might not only be said to
convince you, but use you as an argument to
convince others, that the trouts in these solitary
streams, are for largeness, beauty, size, and pro-
portion, nothing inferior to any in Scotland ;
and such have I hal'd out of these purling pits,
with nothing save only a natural fly.

Theoph. But the day declining, what becomes
of us now ?

Am. Why now we must relinquish these roll-
ing streams, and those pleasant flourishing fields
of Reven that direct to Ingleston, and the anti-
quities of Castleton, formerly inhabited by the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 185

English martialists : Eut Castleton, you must
consider, was only a fort, and Ingleston (as I
am told) their assigned locality. Distant some
two miles from these weather-beaten reliques,
stands the house of Glames, and the fair Fene-
ven, situated amongst rivulets. More norward
yet we advance upon Forfar, where we may ex-
pect as good entertainment as the country is ca-
pable of ; and that is good enough, since eating
and drinking is not the main of our design : but
there stands the town of Forfar, tell me what
you think on't ?

Theoph. I think it's a town ; what would you
make on't ?

Am. Not only a town, but a corporation too,
howe're you approve on't.

Theoph. I approve on't well enough, where
lies the objection ? here's nothing that I see pre-
sents uncomely : But how goes the story of the
good man's cow ? and what became of the old
wife's liquor ?

Arn. I matter not much if I give you the
relation, as neatly drest up as the circumstances
will bear ; for there was, Tie assure you, a very
hardy adventure, hapned betwixt the brewster
wife, and Puggy the cow of Billie Pringle.

Theoph. Pray, let us have it, I grow impatient
to hear it ; Tie remark the beginning, and dili-
gently attend the conclusion.

186 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Arn. Then Pie begin. Once upon a time
(for so I was told) within the walls of this little
corporation of Forfar, there lived an ancient
brewster wife, more eminent in her art for brew-
ing of good ale, than all the brewsters that lived
about her ; who, upon occasion of some solem-
nity, had boiled up a cauldron of stinging stuff,
to hum the noses of some jolly good fellows,
that by country-custom and rules of their own,
had made an appointment to meet there to
morrow ; which they punctually performed, but
were all disappointed, because not to meet with
what they came there for.

Now you are to consider the custom of the
country, which in short was this. No sooner
the alewife brews her ale, but presently she ex-
poseth it to the open air, in certain vessels which
the people call coolers, (always provided it do
not rain,) though not so much to moderate the
heat of the liquor, as to ripen and prepare it for
a present draught ; which they fancy it does,
and fancy, you must know, surpasseth beauty.

Theoph. Very good, pray, go on ; I fancy we
shall have a pleasant story.

Arn. But so it hapned, that Moggy her maid,
was the person appointed to attend this liquor ;
whilst the guid awd wife was cumbring her self
to deft her house, and put it into order. Now
the careless lass steps casually aside, (whose ab-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 187

sence was not long,) when by accident and most
unfortunately a deep-wem'd cow of jolly Billy
Pringles came stragling that way ; who assail'd
the liquor, nor could she well help it ; because
when so provoked by the alluring steem, that
sent a summons to her voracious appetite : and
the poor cow, as if invaded by some feverish in-
disposition, and because knowing no law of li-
mitation, seem'd wholly uncapable to satisfy her
self, so long as any ale was left in the cooler ;
for she drank, and puffd, and then took wind,
and too't it again, so long, and so oft, till at last
she surveyed the dimensions of the tub, where
the liquor in a short time was almost consumed ;
which any man of sense might rationally con-
clude so, because the cow could not see her face
in the bottom.

Theoph. But here lies the question, whether
or no the cow's natural draught was so large an
allowance ? or what unnatural spark of heat had
then occasioned such immoderate exceedings ?

Arn. I confess I neglected to examine that
circumstance ; but this I remember, and every
one can tell you, because so remarkable, it can
never be forgot, that the cow when examining
the smoothness of the ale, and finding it, as I
conceive, moderated to her temper, without a
coag she drank all off: which no sooner hap-
ned, but presently in a rage comes out the awd

188 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

wife that brewed the ale, and troubled beyond
measure at the loss of her liquor ; besides, it
touch'd, as she thought, her reputation, because
to disappoint the jovial crew that had celebrated
that day to solemniate Bacchus, and observing
how the cow stood puffing and blowing, and
her ale as concluded past all discovery, grows
immediately horn-mad ; so lets fly at the cow,
by thundring on the ribs and the sides of the
beast, with a formidable bastinado, or a good
oak sapling, like John at the Giant, who became
extream angry, because that the Giant would
not run away from him.

At length comes Billy Pringle that owned the
cow ; and he forsooth, like an advocate, useth
arguments to pacify and moderate the awd
wife, against such violent and immoderate pro-
ceeds ; which nothing availed, for she gave him
the hearing, and that was all. But standing a
while to recover fresh breath, she presently lets
fly at the cow again, by redoubling her blows
on the sides of the beast, till at last the awd
wife became as weary with cudgeling, as the
insensible poor cow was at that time with fud-
ling ; whose sides were already so stufFd with
strong ale, that made her proof against the awd
wife's artillery, which so incapacitated the cow
for flight, nay, I might as well have said, not al-
most, but altogether uncapable of motion.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 189

All this while Billy Pringle he labours in
vain ; and though no provost, nor laird of a ma-
nour, yet was he forsooth a venerable command-
er, who endeavours what he may to pacify the
awd wife ; but she was so inconsiderate, nothing
ballances her passion ; his arguments, she inter-
prets them all affronts ; and his pacifications but
inducements to aggravate her revenge. Where-
upon he resolves no more pleadings, but to use
silence as the best interpreter. Which she ob-
serving, stood still a while ; and though out of
wind, and not answering a word, yet the storm
was not over ; for no sooner she recruits, and
recovers fresh breath, but lets fly at him like
George at the Dragon.

This rais'd such an uproar all the town over,
and a general confusion among the spectators,
that now my Lord Provost displays his autho-
rity ; who to pacify, if possible, the bulk of the
rabble, that were at that time all in an uproar,
came puffing and blowing, almost out of breath,
commanding the peace ; asking them, if they
longed to be hanged for a riot ? Get ye home,
quo the provost, every man to his house ; and
that quickly too, or lie send ye packing. But
observing the tumult make no haste to disperse,
he commands the peace in their Majesties name,
whilst he lays about him with a sturdy oak-
saplin he had in his hand ; telling them all the

190 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

while, that if they would not be quiet, he would
make them quiet, and keep the peace too, and
their houses to boot. And for your part, guid
wife, (quo the provost,) seek your remedy at
law, it's a friend's advice, and the best course
you can take. And for Billy Pringle, he may
do the like. The words drop'd savourly from his
worship's mouth, so took effect.

And now the guid wife arrests Billy Pringle,
because that his cow drank off her ale. And he
like a man to purge himself by law, traverses
the action at the Court at Edinburgh, where the
case was opened, and pleadings on both sides.
But the woman's counsel pleads hard for satis-
faction ; when an advocate for Billy Pringle so-
licites the Judg, that an award be allowed to his
client Pringle : For, my lord, quo he, they pro-
duce no precedent ; nor was it ever known in
the kingdom of Scotland that a cow paid a plack
for a standing- drink : nay, more than that, she
never call'd for't, and Doh and Doris is the cus-
tom of our country ; where note, a standing-
drink was never yet paid for. With these and
the like circumstances he made the Court merry,
because utterly to exceed and confound their
practice ; so that now every lawyer became a
mute, and every auditor a silent admirer.

During this silence there rush'd into the Court
a crew of sawcy surly fellows, that proffered to

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 191

swear for the guid awd wife, that the cow drank
the ale brewed for them to drink : and it's thought
they would have sworn through a double deal-
board, they seem'd so enraged for the loss of their
ale. This you must conceive warm'd the wo-
man's counsel, so that they moved the Court for
satisfaction, and prayed a more strict examina-
tion of the matter. Upon which the records of
the Court were called for, but no precedent was
found to punish a cow for drinking of ale, sit-
ting or standing. Besides, it was adjudged be-
yond the practice of the Court to determine any
thing wherein the laws were silent. Yet not-
withstanding all this, and a great deal more ; the
woman's counsel moves again for satisfaction,
which proposal was quash'd by sentence of the
Court, almost as soon as it was propounded, be-
cause to refer it to the provost of Forfar.

Theoph. Why so ?

Arn. Can you think him a man of that capa-
city, to decide a controversy so foreign and in-
tricate, that all the law in Scotland could not
then determine ?

TJieoph. Why so ; was the nature of the thing
so rare and difficult ?

Arn. Was it not, think you, to take all the
proofs, to swear all the witnesses ; and as near
as possible to ultimate the difference, with this
proviso to both parties satisfaction ?

192 NORTHERN MKMOIRS.

Tlicoph. I confess it was intricate ; but how
did he behave himself?

Am. Very well, I fancy, and the manner on't
was thus. First, he calls a hall ; but admits no
man to speak a word save himself; and as his
gravity directs him, puts a question to the wo-
man ; which in short was this. He demands to
know of her how the cow took the liquor, whe-
ther she took it sitting, or if she took it stand-
ing ? To \vhich the brewster-wife, after a little
pause, answered, by making this reply ; In guid
fa, sir, quo the wife, the cow took it standing.
Then, quo the provost, your e'en words condemn
ye, to seek satisfaction for a standing-drink. This
annihilates the custom of doh and dons. For
truly sike another ill precedent as this, were
enough to obliterate so famous a custom, as stark
love and kindness for evermare. Where note,
guid wife, ye have wronged Billy Pringle, for
prosecuting the guid man contrary to law ; and
have done mickle damage to Puggy his cow, be-
cause to chastise her but for a standing-drink.

Thcoph. Is it a romance, or a real story ?

Am. Do you doubt the truth on't ?

TJieoph. Peradventure I do, but it serves us
to laugh at.

Ami. And will not our beds serve as well to
lie on ?

NORTHERN MEMOIRS, 193

TJieoph. Who doubts it, when summoned by
the sweet influence of sleep ?

Am. Can men in dreams whisper security,
when their eyes are guarded with troops of
shades, and separated from the glorious beam of
light ?

Theoph. Death's a separation, the night but a
short privation. It's true, we grant sleep an em-
blem of death ; but death the solution of com-
plicated elements.

Am. How beautifully glorious do the con
stellations appear !

Theoph. So does Aurora, that ushers in day,
and adapts it for man and negotiation.

Am. O the sweets of contemplation ! have
you ruminated to morrow's journey ?

Theoph. Do rusticks calculate an early seed-
time, and not prognostick a forward harvest, if
not unseasonably prevented by malevolent acci-
dents ?

Am. From whence we may rationally con-
clude refreshment after recreation, as requisite
and necessary to propagate health, as a salubrious
arcanum is to retrieve the body, when invaded
or obstructed by preternatural indisposition.

Theoph. You paraphrase physically under me-
taphorical tropes.

Am. And you philosophically, to tell us that
the sun no sooner shades his beams in Thetis'

N

194 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

lap, but Aurora suddenly begins to blush, and
make visible discoveries of the oblique lines of
Sol impending.

Theoph. So it appears ; for this short night's
progress, though defeating our senses, yet has it
in some measure sweetly refresh'd us.

Arn. Why then do we loiter, and procrasti-
nate time ?

Theoph. It's only till we mantle for a march,
and discharge for our entertainment.

Arn. That's but reasonable and requisite,
otherwise we deviate from the morals of ho-
nesty.

Theoph. Must this day's invention be to mor-
row's expedition ; so arm with our artillery to
practise at Brechen ?

Arn. No, by no means ; though Brechen be
a town of very good accommodation ; yet we
must melt these hills into valleys.

Theoph. Here's another town presents ; what
must we call it ?

Arn. This is Fetter-Carn ; but that before us
is Carlisle-Mount, elevated in the air, where the
people, to my fancy, dwell in the clouds, and in-
habit, as it were, another region, representing
Terra Nova.

Theoph. Yet methinks here's sweet streams
glide up and down this mountanous country.

Arn. And don't you think the trouts in these

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 195

streams naturally high-minded, to climbe such
lofty hills for preferment ? But what think you
of these barren fields, burdened with sterrility,
where the inhabitants, to my apprehension, feed
upon famine, or a morsel of moss. It represents
to me the suburbs of poverty, if when to consi-
der their scarcity of accommodation.

Thevph. Come, then, let us break the heart of
these hills, and bless our eyes with a landskip of
the Lowlands, that serve as a sanctuary to shel-
ter us against storms, and protection against im-
petuous rains. But what E Utopia's this that
dwells below us ?

Am. It's neither Sir Thomas Moor's, nor Ba-
con's Atlantas i here we have already made a
fair discovery, but when you come to trace the
firtility of Dean, whose flourishing streams en-
rich the shores, then you will tell me of the
angler's entertainment.

Tlieopli. What place is that, that directs north-
ward to the Pole ?

Am. That's Kinkarn Oneal ; beyond which,
the foundations of Pitriffny and Bovena scout,
as you may see, beneath the skirts of the High-
lands ; obvious to any man that tramples her
moors, that direct to the source and beginnings
of Trespey, whose boistrous streams glide along-
through Murryland ; a pleasant and plentiful
part of a country, that's beautified and adorned

196 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

with spacious buildings, rivited into rocks, and
cemented with stone.

Theoph. Must we pass through Murryland,
or take it in our way when returning from Ross ?

Arn. We shall only pass by it now, to de-
scribe the country of Reven in Badanoah, that's
totally beleaguer'd and besieged with bogs, whose
ruinous decays are unworthy our discourse ; nor
are her fields so fertil as those in Feneven, yet
are her valleys surrounded with rivulets, and
every rivulet replenished with trout ; beautified
and adorned with stately fir woods, that shade
the earth from the scorching sun, and shelters
man and horse in impetuous rains and storms ;
where nature, but not the native, is generous
and prodigal in all her entertainments.

T/ieopb. What new inviting object have we
now discovered ?

Arn. The famous Lough-Ness, so much dis-
cours'd for the supposed floating island ; for here
it is, if any where in Scotland. Nor is it any
other than a natural plantation of segs and bull-
rushes, matted and knit so close together by
natural industry, and navigated by winds that
blow every way, floats from one part of the
Lough to another, upon the surface of the solid
deeps of this small Mediterrane : and here it is,
in these slippery streams, that an English ship,
by curious invention, was haled over the moun-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 197

tains to this solitary Lough ; brought hither on
purpose to reclaim the Highlander.

Theoph. Do you romance, or not, to tell me
that an island swims in the midst of the ocean,
and a ship fluctuates in the midst of the High-
lands ; where every rock represents a Charibdis,
and every wave threatens an inundation ; where
there's no harbour without hazard of life, nor sea
enough to promise security to the mariner, when
the winds mingle themselves with the waves,
that wash the pallid cheeks of the polish'd rocks ?
Now tell me that can, where the mariner must
have birth (and the passinger supplies) in this
fluctuating ocean, when a storm arises to ecclipse
his eye from a land discovery ?

Am. If eye-sight be good evidence, there's
enough to convince you ; behold the ship.

Theoph. How came she here ? Was she not
built in some creek hereabouts ?

Am. No.

Theoph. By what means then was she moved
into this small Mediterrane ? I solicite advice,
and you can solve the doubt.

Arn. Art was both engin and engineer to in-
vite this ship into this solitary Lough.

Theoph. If so, it's strange that a vessel of her
force should leap out of the ocean, and over the
hills, to float in a gutter surrounded with rocks.

Arn. Not so strange as true, for here she is.

198 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theoph. Was there a possibility of her sailing
from the citadel, to this eminent Lough Ness,
when a boat of ten tun can't force her passage
half way up the river ? This looks romantick
beyond the ingenuity of art, or possibility of in-
vention.

Arn. Let it look as it will look, I am sure it
was so.

Theoph. You are sure it was so ; then, pray,
resolve the point.

Arn. Why thus it was : In the time of war
betwixt the King and Parliament, this navigate
invention was consulted by Maj. General Dean ;
who to compleat a conquest over the Highland-
ers, (in regard hitherto the law of a foreign power
had never bridled them) he accomplished this
new navigation of sailing by land : who con-
trived the transportation of this fair ship (that
you now see) into these torpid and slippery
streams.

Theoph. What, without sails ?

Arn. Yes, without sail, pilot, card or com-
pass ; by dividing only the ambient air, as for-
merly she plowed the pondrous ocean. Nor was
she compell'd to encounter sea or land in all her
passage ; which, by some, may be thought a ri-
diculous report. On the other hand, for a ship
of this burden to transport her self, or suffer
her self to be transported without ordinary, nay,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 199

extraordinary means, looks like an impossibi-
lity ; however, here you find her, nor is it to be
denied that she had a passage to this solitary
Lough,

Theoph. But how ?

Arn. First, you must conclude no vessel, with-
out a miracle, could remove her self so far from
sea ; and I'Je assure you in this here's nothing
miraculous. Then you are to consider that so
eminent a ship could never shove her self to
reach this limit, as extends from the Orchean
seas to this obscure Lough Ness, without pro-
bable endeavours, and very considerable assist-
ance. Lastly, to admit of a violent motion, were
a kind of madness ; because to impose a contra-
diction upon the design.

Tlieoph. Pray explicate the aenigma.

Arn. A motion must be had (that you'l grant)
and means considerable to move by, (this you
must allow), which to accomplish, the sailers
and the souldiers equally contributed. For a
regiment (or it may be two) about that time
quartered in Inverness; who, by artifice, had
fastned thick cables to her fore-castle, and then
they got levers and rollers of timber, which
they spread at a distance, one before another ;
whilst some are of opinion these robust engi-
neers framed a more artificial and politick con-
trivance : but thus it was, and no otherwise,

200 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Tie assure you ; save only they fastned some
cheeks and planks to the solid sides and ribs of
the ship, the better to secure her from crushing
upon transportation.

Theoph. And did she pass in this manner as
you tell me, to this famous Ness ?

Am. Yes, she relinquished the brinish ocean,
to float in the slippery arms of Ness. But to
keep her s teddy in her passage, and preserve
her from rocking and rolling by the way ; they
consulted no other project than what I tell you :
save only some additional supplies from Inver-
ness, that with ropes and tackle haled her along
to this very place where you now observe her.
For you are to consider, she no sooner got mo-
tion, but by industry and art she was steer'd
without a compass, to this remarkable Ness ;
where now she floats obvious enough to every
curious observer.

For let me tell you, that strength, artifice,
and resolution, are indisputable arguments to
reach the possibility of any thing possible; a
threefold cord is not easily broken. Motion
therefore was no sooner begot, but the whole
mystery was almost accomplished ; the plover,
you observe, never breaks the shell, before the
lapwing is ready to run ; nor will the sailer
spread the sails, until he observe a wind pre-
sents. Nor got our ship the mediums of mo-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 201

tion, but by argument of force (not of artillery)
which forced her by graduate means, till arri-
ving in this Ness, obvious to all men.

And this is that famous and renowned Lough
Ness (Loemon excepted) inferiour to none in
the kingdom of Scotland ; whose streams are
strewed with eel and trout, whilst her deeps are
saluted with the race of salmon ; whose fertil
banks and shining sands are hourly moistned
by this small Mediterrane : which I fancy is be-
sieged with rocks and mountains ; whilst her po-
lite shores are frozen in the winter, by the frigid
lungs of blustring Boreas, that perplexes her
banks, and masquerades her rocks with a cris-
talline hue of polished ice. Where the Tritons
and Sea-nymphs sport themselves on the slippery
waves, sounding an invasion to her moveable
inmate ; supposed by some, the floating island.

Tlieopli. Do these fair mountains that inter-
dict the dales, survey the forcible streams of In-
verness ?

Am. Yes surely, these torrents, which you
now discover, frequently wash the walls of In-
verness, (a derivative from Lough Ness), at the
west end whereof stands a diminutive castle,
about a mile distant from that magnificent ci-
tadel, that subjects those precarious Northern
Highlanders. This Inverness, or model of anti-
quity, (which we now discourse,) stands com-

202 NOUTHEKN MEMOIRS.

modiously situated for a Highland trade; de-
fended with a weather-beaten tottering wall,
that's defaced with age and the corruptions of
time, where yet there remains two parish-
churches : But I remember a third, that was a
kind of a cathedral or collegiat-church, that now,
like old Troy, sleeps in dust and ashes, as part
of the walls do, charging time and neglect with
their tottering decays.

North and by east, near the forcible streams
of the Ness, stands the fortress, or pentagon,
drawn out by regular lines, built all with stone,
and girt about with a graff, that commodes it
with a convenient harbour. The houses in this
fair fortress are built very low, but uniform ; and
the streets broad and spacious, with avenues and
intervales for drilling of foot, or drawing up
horse. I must confess, such and so many are
the advantages and conveniencies that belong
to this citadel, it would be thought fabulous, if
but to numerate them : for that end I refer my
self to those that have inspected her magazines,
providores, harbours, vaults, graffs, bridges, sal-
ly-ports, cellars, bastions, horn-works, redoubts,
counterscarps, &c. Ocular evidence is the best
judg, and gives the plainest demonstration ;
which, without dispute, will interpret this for-
midable fortress a strength impregnable; and
the situation, as much as any, promises security »

9

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 203

by reason it's surrounded with boggy morasses ;
standing in swamps, on an isthmus of land, that
divides the Ness from the Orchean Seas.

Yet here is one thing more among our nor-
thern novelties very remarkable ; for here you
shall meet with a wooden bridg to convoy you
over the rapid Ness ; but certainly the weakest,
in my opinion, that ever stradled over so strong
a stream. However, it serves to accommodate
the native, to those pleasant and fragrant mea-
dows, north and north-west, that direct to the
demolishments of the Castle of Lovet, near to
which stand the antiquities of Brawn, planted
upon the brow of a considerable bank, that
hangs, one would think, o're a spacious river,
above all in Scotland, replenished with salmon :
whose numbers are numberless, if not improper
to say so ; and careless of their lives, they cast
them away.

I must confess, the strength of such strange
reports, oftentimes meets with a foreign faith,
that raises more scruples than arguments can
answer. And so it hapned to me at first, till
convinced by some persons of considerable re-
putation, that when the fisher-men with their
sanes have drawn these streams, they have count-
ed many times five hundred at a draught ; the
truth of which relation, should any man doubt
of, they are ready to assert and vindicate the

204 NORTHRN MEMOIRS.

truth on't by pregnant demonstration. How-
ever it shaked my credulity at first, though pos-
sibly it may remove the jealousy of another, if
when provided with patience he can suspend
his suspicion till better inform'd, or confirm him-
self of the plenty of salmon in these remote
northern parts. For I grant, others with my
self of a like perswasion may question this re-
port, till convinc'd by the truth of ocular de-
monstration ; that these northern rivers are the
riches of the country.

Here the salmon relinquish the salts, because
by the porposses pursued up the freshes ; just
so the shad is chased by the sturgeon, and so are
the smaller fry by the ravenous pike : Nature
directs self-security, and nothing stands in com-
petition with life. Where note, the salmon are
compell'd to desert the deeps, and seek sanctu-
ary from the sandy sholes ; as I my self and
others have often observed the porposses pursue
them in the frothy foming waves of the Ness,
for it may be some two or three miles together ;
till their strength imparing, which oft-times
compels them to court the shores, though with
hazard of life. And sometimes they meet with
a precipice of rocks (as these at Brawn) which
with an impossibility they perpetually attempt,
though to no purpose as to self-security.

This oracle explicated, who so incredulous to

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 205

doubt or dispute the truth of my relation ? for
no man certainly was more averse than my self,
to affix a credit upon a single report ; but when
opposed by such eminent evidence, it forced my
obstinacy to yield a compliance : more especial-
ly when approaching those frothy streams ; no
other argument then need to convince me but
eye-sight. Truly I stood amaz'd to see such
companies of salmon in these northern parts ;
which demonstration made such impressions in
my hesitating breast, that now I'm convinc'd ; I
am ready to publish my conviction to others,
upon manifest experience. For what can I do
less than certify a truth so often opposed, and
doubted by myself. In this Pontus Cambrosia
(in the famous Ness) you shall observe three tides
meet every twelve hours : and when they meet,
by reason of their interchangeable streams min-
gling together, make such convulsions and vio-
lent eruptions, as dam up the shores, and make
the passage exceeding hazardous ; especially for
small boats that cross the Ness, if there do but
the least impetuity of winds hover in the air.

Theopk. This is very remarkable, for the por-
posses to pursue the salmon ashore.

Am. But so it is : besides in the midst of
Cambrosia is a white spumation, or a frothy fo-
ming sparkling spry, that resembles via lactea ;

206 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

occasioned, as you see, from luxuriant tides, and
aggravating winds, that violently contract the
surff of the sea, and so amalgamizes them to-
gether, that neither the one nor the other can
divide, nor expatiate it self, till inevitably suck'd
up into the bowels of the ocean.

Theoph. I fancy this Hellespont of Pontus
Cambrosia, a representation of the chalky mount
in Barbardoes ; because of its polished glittering
whiteness.

Am. I remember as we pass'd this hazardous
Charibdis, the vessel that conveyed us was in
danger to overset, by reason the porposses vent-
ed so vehemently at the stem of our boat, inso-
much that one of them had almost invented his
passage amongst us ; which if he had, there was
no way but one ; and that way was unequal to
exchange of elements. But at last we conclu-
ded if the boat should miscarry, to lanch forth
into the deeps, and Hero it over.

Theoph. Some then, I fancy, would have made
brave ducks and drakes.

Am. It's no matter for that, the use of blad-
ders had been out of fashion. Now, no sooner
we arrived at the desired shore, but with friend-
ly congratulations we saluted one another ; dis-
coursing our hazardous passage, and this plea-
sant country (or isthmus of land) besieged with

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 207

sea ; because having Portus Salutis on the north
and by east ; Cambrosia on the south ; and the
western parts all guarded with inaccessible rocks
and mountains facing the fields of Stranaver.

Theoph. Here's another Hellespont ; must we
cross this also ?

Arn. Yes surely, we must cross this rugged
ferry, especially if intending the bounds of In-
nerbrachy, in the cultivated fields in the coun-
try of Ross ; where the rocks are undermin'd by
the sea quellem, that serves for a filtre to riddle
the ocean, and separate her saline brinish taste,
from those more sweet and luscious fountains ;
where the inhabitants will flatter you with an
absurd opinion (an old tradition received from
their ancestors) that the earth in Ross hath an
antipathy against rats, as the Irish oak has against
the spider : And this curiosity, if you please to
examine, you may, for the natives do ; but had
they asserted there were no mice in Ross, every
tongue had contradicted them. Now, mice and
rats are cousin-german, every body knows that
knows any thing, and for the most part keep
house together : But what difference has hapned
amongst them here, as to make such a feud in
this country of Ross, that the rats in Ross should
relinquish their country, and give possession
wholly to the mice ; this is a mystery that I un-
derstand not.

208 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Besides this fond opinion of the natives here-
abouts, some others more remote (as ignorant as
themselves) transport the earth of lloss into most
parts of Scotland ; perswading themselves, that
if they do but sprinkle it in the fields, fens, moors,
mountains, morish or boggy grounds, (all is one
as to that) for it alters not the property, nor does
it diminish the quality, nor impair the virtue,
but that still it retains a certain antipathy against
that enormous vermin the rat, nay, the very
scent on't shall force him to become an exile.
This odd kind of creed they had when I was re-
sident amongst them ; yet to the best of my ob-
servation, I never saw a rat ; nor do I remember
of any one that was with me ever did ; but for
mice, I declare, so great is their plenty, that
were they a commodity, Scotland might boast
on't. And that they have owls with horns, some
favour the report ; yet are they not horns, but as
like horns as any thing that are not horns ; nor
is it any other than a sort of feathers, that's clung
and twisted so naturally together, that represents
the idiom or form of a horn, if when to observe
them at a reasonable distance, which seemingly
beautifies the ivy-bush, as horns adorn the head
of a buffulo.

The next curiosity to entertain you with, is
the country of Southerland ; which we enter by
crossing a small arm of the ocean from Tain to

XOTITHEKN MEMOIRS.

Dornoch. So from thence we travel into Cath-
ness, and the country of Stranavar ; where a rude
sort of inhabitants dwell, (almost as barbarous as
Canibals) who when they kill a beast, boil him
in his hide, make a caldron of his skin, browis of
his bowels, drink of his blood, and bread and
meat of his carcase. Since few or none amongst
them hitherto have as yet understood any better
rules or methods of eating. More north in an
angle of Cathness, lives John a Groat, upon an
isthmus of land that faceth the pleasant Isles of
Orkney ; where the inhabitants are blessed with
the plenty of grass and grain ; besides fish, flesh,
and fowl in abundance. Now that barnicles
(which are a certain sort of wooden geese) breed
hereabouts, it's past dispute ; and that they fall
off from the limbs and members of the fir-tree,
is questionless ; and those so fortunate to espouse
the ocean (or any other river, or humitactive soil)
by virtue of solar heat are destinated to live ;
but to all others so unfortunate to fall upon dry
land, are denied their nativity.

Theoph. Can you credit your own report ; or
do you impose these hyperboles ironically upon
the world, designedly to make Scotland appear
a kingdom of prodigies ?

Arn. No certainly ! and that there is such a
fowl I suppose none doubts it ; but if any do,
let him resort to Cambden, Speed, or Gerhard's

o

210 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

herbal, and there he shall find that in Lancashire,
thousands were gathered up, adhering to the
broken ribs of a ship wreck'd upon that coast ;
but these are not like the barnicle geese that I
speak of : the like accident hapned in Kent some-
time past, and in many other parts of England,
&c. So that few ingenious and intelligible travel-
lers doubt a truth in this matter ; and the rather,
because if sedulously examined, it discovers a
want of faith to doubt what's confirmed by such
credible authority. But if eye-sight be evidence
against contradiction, and the sense of feeling
argument good enough to refute fiction, then let
me bring these two convincing arguments to
maintain my assertion ; for I have held a barni-
cle in my own hand, when as yet unfledg'd, and
hanging by the beak, which as I then supposed
of the fir-tree ; for it grew from thence, as an
excrescence grows on the members of an ani-
mal : and as all things have periods, and in time
drop off, so does the barnicle by a natural pro-
gress separate it self from the member it's con-
join'd to.

But further, to explicate the method and man-
ner of this wooden goose more plainly : The
first appearing parts are her rump and legs ; next
to them, her callous and unploom'd body ; and
last of all her beak, by which she hangs imma-
ture, and altogether insensible ; because not as

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 211

yet having any spark of life hitherto discovered
to shine about her. Then, like the leaves in
October that leisurely drop off (since predestina-
ted to fall) even so the barnicle drops off from
the twig of the tree to which Nature had fast-
ned her, and gave her a growth, and an inani-
mate being. Where note, to so many as provi-
dentially fall into water, protection is immediate-
ly sent them to live ; but to all others as acci-
dentally encounter dry land, such I presume are
doom'd to die without redemption. And though
some of them are commissioned to live, yet how
difficult is it to preserve life, when hourly sought
after by the luxurious devourer ?

Theoph. However, let not our discourse of
geese discover us ungrateful to the inhabitants.
For it were madness more than good manners,
not to acknowledg civilities from a people that
so civilly treated us.

Arn. Civility wanting, we are wanting to our
selves ; when too much of self bars the fruits of
society. Now we tread on the borders of South-
erland, that of right belongs to the Earl of South-
erland ; whose eldest son is born Lord of Strana-
var. On the top of that little hill, stands little
Dun Robin ; it's a castle, though but a small
one, where the Earl himself inhabits. But that
other great house, or rather some piece of decays,
they call it Skibbo ; but there is yet another

SI 2 NOttTTTEtlN MEMOIftS.

ruinous castle that stands on the brow of a lofty
hill, and that they call Skelbo. These are all
the castles, and most eminent fabricks in South-
erland, to the best of my observation.

The next thing we meet with is the Lough
Broroh, that spouts forth a river into the bowels
of the ocean. This Lough is deep, but not so
large as the Ness, (elevated in 59 degrees north
latitude) but very full of salmon ; and though
the river seems to have rapid streams, yet the
tides influence them every twelve hours. I men-
tion this Broroh, for no other purpose, than to
reflect on her plenty of salmon, where they bar-
rel up for France, and other parts annually, (as
reported) so much salmon as amounts to three
hundred pound sterling a year ; and the price of
a salmon (among themselves) seldom exceeds
one single denare. Where note the profits of this
contemptible Broroh, are farm'd by the inhabi-
tants inhabiting hereabouts, but the propriety
belongs to the Earl of Southerland. But Dor-
noch is all the corporations in Southerland, of
which justicium I have but little to say.

Theoph. And where are we now ?

Am. On terra firma, where should we be ?
and this is the town of Tayn in Ross, that equa-
lizeth Dornoch for beautiful buildings ; and as
exemplary as any place for justice, that never use
gibbet nor halter to hang a man, but sacks all

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 213

their malefactors, so swims them to their graves.
Now the most spacious and eminent fabricks in
Ross, are Tarbot, situate near the sea ; Mees, bor-
dering upon Lough Loon ; Balnagoon, a strong
fabrick on the brinks of Clowd ; Fowlds, a great
house not far from Brawn ; Innerbrachy, a man-
nor near Portus Salutis ; Milton, a castle oppo-
site to Cromerty . These fabricks are the strength
and ornament of Ross. Besides here are eagles,
signets, falcons, swans, geese, gossander, duck
and malard, teal, smieth, widgeon, seapy es, sande-
levericks, green and gray plover, snite, partridg,
curlue, moorgame, and grows ; but I remember
no pheasant in this bill of fare.

This is that famous Portus Saluti$9 accommo-
dated with fowl to that degree, as their nume-
rous covies darken the firmament ; and so reple-
nished with fish, as no part of Scotland can boast
of. Oysters the best in the north, are dragg'd
forth with drags from her owsey bottoms. And
for crabs, lobsters, perewinkles, &c. in regard so
plentiful and common, are but of little value.
But what have I to do to discourse a country,
where eggs are sold for twenty four a penny, and
all other accommodations proportionable ? This
I presume is no dear entertainment ; nor ever
expect to have it cheaper when we leave these
plentiful borders of Ross, to traverse the more

214 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

southern parts of Scotland, as our gnomen di-
rects to the fertil shores of Cromerty.

Theoph. And why the fertil shores of Cro-
merty ?

Am. Because their shores are uncapable of
freezing, for no snow lies here, though border-
ing almost on the frigid zone ; nor does ice in-
cru state the earth near the shores : for the very
sands are so contempered from a natural innate
quality of warmth, occasioned it's possible from
the salinity of the ocean, which suddenly dis-
solves the snow that falls, preanticipating the
formation of frost, or any such like coagulum.
And this is the reason her shores are enrich'd
with fertility, were but the people polish'd with
art and agriculture ; for were it so, I ^should then
conclude them blest with a delightful prospect,
that flows from the fluctuating generosity of
Portus Salutis.

Theoph. Is this the castle, and the coast of
Cromerty ? How do the people do to free them-
selves from the depredations of the Highland-
ers ?

Am. Well enough ; it's morally impossible it
should be otherwise, except nature run retro-
grade : I know no other distinction, than below
and above stairs ; but I should have told you
(since a received opinion) that the greatest plen-
ty of fish and fowl that belongs to Scotland, falls

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 215

in or near this Portus Salutis ; where lobsters
are sometimes sold for bodies a piece ; but for
crabs, perewinkles, and various other shell-fish,
as cockles, and mussels, &c. the natives are not
nice to share such entertainments amongst stran-
gers ; meaning such as cruise all along their coast,
till the season of the year compels them off.

Theoph. It's a pleasant part of a country, I
confess, though methinks it stands almost out
of the world.

Am. Let it stand as it will stand, it stands
well enough, by reason it borders so near the
Highlands,

Theoph. Why then it will look further off
from home. For these Highlands, to my think-
ing, but represent a part of the creation left un-
drest : As some great and magnificent fabrick is
erected, you know abundance of rubbish is left
to remove ; so I fancy those Highlands appear
to me, because wanting ornament, and destitute
of cultivation.

Am. You shall have it on your own terms, as
void of form as the natives are indigent of mo-
rals and good manners. However, from these
eminent rocks we descry the ocean, and the ships
sometimes as they cruise upon the coast. But
now the air that was serene, is thickned, I fan-
cy, and struck with impressions of cold ; for the
wrack of clouds begiivto roll about, variously in*

216 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

termirigled with a rapid motion ; and the lower
region swells and looks big, but the nights di-
rect to an equal proportion with the days : so
that observing the summer in a declining pos-
ture, what think you of fixing our inclinations
southward ? And in our countermarch, take a
breviate of all the rivers, rivulets, cities, citadels,
castles and corporations, that lie in our way, till
we face their magnificent metropolis of Edin-
burgh.

Theoph. I approve of the motion well enough,
it comports with my inclination.

Am. Let us then proceed methodically, and
commence with the Castle of Cromerty, where
the Laird Urquart lived in his life-time; who
had twice twenty children standing at once be-
fore him ; but thirty were sons, and ten of them
daughters ; and all at the state of men and wo-
men, yet not one natural child amongst them
(as 1 was told.) Now this venerable Laird of
Urquart lived to the utmost limit and period
of life ; whose declining age invites him to con-
template mortality, and cruciate himself, by fan-
cying his cradle his sepulchre, wherein he was
lodg'd night after night, and hal'd up by pullies
to the roof of his house ; approaching as near as
the roof would let him, to the beautiful battle-
ments and suburbs of heaven.

Theoph. Was not this that Urquart, whot>e

NORTHERN iMEMOIHS. 217

eldest son writ a treatise in honour of his pedi-
gree ; wherein he describes his genealogy from
Adam ?

Am. It's the very same, for he traced his de-
scent from the Garden of Eden.

Tlieoph. Why then was his book doom'd to
be stuff'd with nothing but fantastical fabulous
fictions ?

Arn. Because his country-men thought it too
ambiguous for any man to trace his pedigree
from paradise.

Theoph. Was that all ? had they no antiqua-
ries amongst them ? But hold a little, what
place is this ?

Theoph. Old Chanery,hung about with charms
that inehanted a grampus to come ashore, whose
bulk (some fancied) burdned the sands ; but he
became a prey to the English infantry. Now we
trace the flourishing fields of Murry-land ; and
this is Old Ern where Marquess Montross en-
gaged his country-men, and totally routed them.
This next town is Forres, famous for nothing
except that infamous vermin the rat ; because so
numerous in these northern parts, that a cat can
scarcely get a living amongst them.

Theoph. Why don't they send and fetch of the
earth from Ross ?

Arn. That I know riot ; but this I know, that

218 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

they snatch'd the meat off our trenchers, and
churm'd the stockins and apparel of the soul-
diers ; who projected lines to hang their clothes
on, upon which these vermin would dance and
totter, as if invited by the dull sound of a north-
ern-country bagpipe, their natural musick, and
most congruous to their kind.

Theoph. I have been told, that these vermin
politicians storm the town once or twice a year,
to the terrifying amazement of all the inhabi-
tants ; and that cats durst not be seen to scout
abroad, lest hazarding their lives whenever they
encounter.

Am. That's matter of fact ; who doubts the
truth on't ?

Theoph. That should I, were I not convinc'd
to the contrary. But what remarkable monu-
ments are these like pyramids in the ambient
air?

Am. I know not, except some signals of vic-
tory ; it may be some field has been fought here-
abouts : otherwise I should fancy them unintel-
ligible mutes, left only on purpose for strangers
to admire them.

Theoph. What town call ye that, that pre-
sents unto us ?

Am. The famous Elgin, situated on a level,
and besieged round about with flourishing corn-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 219

fields ; whose spacious ports surround a cathe-
dral, blotted and blurr'd by the dates of time.

TJieoph. However it appears that some emi-
nent characters are left yet to evidence the foot-
steps of superannuated curiosity, and inform us
the antiquity of her original lustre.

And that is all ; but not lustre enough left
to vie with the gaity of those famous imbel-
lishments of Westminster-Chappel : that oracle
strikes all structures dumb, and is the nonsuch
of Europe, nay, all the world ; models of it have
been transported into foreign parts, and equally
admired, with Oliver's medals.

Theoph. Elgin was once a beauty, nor is it
now an artificial deformity ; yet such is the un-
constancy of men and times, that this fabrick is
defaced, and prelacy thrown down : methinks I
could almost lament her ruins ; these marginal
notes on the frontispiece of Elgin intitle her ca-
thedral a northern beauty.

Am. But not to parallel that unparalleFd cu-
riosity, the illustrious Chappel-Royal of King's-
Colledg in Cambridg.

Theoph. Yet is there a beauty in Elgin's an-
tiquities ; therefore it's a vanity beyond igno-
rance, and a presumption beyond pardon, should
any pretend to outvie it in Scotland.

Arn. I must confess that irnbelish'd fabricks
are more my admiration than perplexed contro-

-220 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

versies. What profit is there in unprofitable dis-
putations ? That genius to me seems disinge-
nious and turbulent, that is always angling in
tempestuous streams. Our occasion invites us
to recreation, not riot. To a description of the
country ; not to register her faults, and obliterate
her favours. What have we to do with secular
affairs ? the management of kingdoms and na-
tional concerns is nothing our business ; nor need
our curiosity inspect the artificers of the law that
fleece the country, whilst Presbyter John writes
his funeral- epitaph with Jure Divino.

Theoph. Our discourse, I perceive, if we be
not mindful, will bring us about ; however, the
best on't is, here are no hedges to turn us.

Arn. No, here's an open passage to the glit-
tering streams of Trespey, that generously accom-
modates the angler, whilst the natives frequent-
ly consult the net, for the treasures of pearl, stu-
diously concealed in the gravelly deeps. Why
should nature's ornaments want admiration, or
the industrious angler the fruition of contempla-
tion ?

TJieoph. What fair fabrick is that which stands
before us ?

Arn. Bogagieth, the Marquess of Huntly's
palace, all built with stone, facing the ocean ;
whose fair front (set prejudice aside) worthily
deserves an English man's applause for her lofty

XOttTHETW

and majestick towers and turrets, that storm the
air; and seemingly make dints in the very clouds.
At first sight, I must confess, it struck me with
admiration, to gaze on so gawdy and regular a
frontispiece ; more especially when to consider it
in the noolc of a nation. Nor do I know any
reason, but that every English man should ad-
vance a due proportion of Scotland's fame, as
freely and candidly as of his own native coun-
try ; provided the kingdom of Scotland deserve
it. I have told you that the name of this house
is Bogagieth, alluding, as I fancy, to the nature
of the place, by reason the ground appears so
boggy ; whose battlements on a fair day display
themselves to the portals of Elgin. But more
southerly yet are the fortifications of Straboggy,
bordering on the tracts to Aberdeen ; which al-
so belongs to the Marquess Huntly, the chief of
the clan of the Gordons ; as is Earl Seaforth,
chief of the Mackenzies. Now this bulky Stra-
boggy has an invincible tower, so large and stu-
pendous that it burdens the earth, and is with-
out precedent the largest in Scotland ; situated
on a flat, begirt with bogs, amalgamiz'd with
loomish marly clay, and cemented into rocks,
makes prospect by a short interview to the skirts
of the Highlands, whilst the elevated tarrasses of
beautiful Bogagieth overlook the ocean, and is

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

as eminently discours'd for a stately palace, as
Elgin is admired for a sumptuous cathedral.

Theoph. Are these those savannas so enrich'd
with rivulets, and every rivulet stock'd with
trout ? Do these purling streams proclaim a
plenty, and does not every shore shine with sil-
ver sands, whilst the craggy cliffs stand burden'd
with trees ?

Am. It answers your description ; as the tower
of Straboggy seems impregnable, yet Marquess
Argile once earth'd so deep in't, that all the clan
of the Gordons could not undermine him, not-
withstanding their popularity, and residence
about it.

Theoph. What caused the difference, could
not the law reconcile them ?

Am. No, nor the gospel neither ; if when to
consider their difference in opinion, for the Gor-
dons, you must know, are profest Roman-catho-
lics ; and Scotland, nay all the world, knows that
the Campbels are Presbyterians. Now the first
won't live without a universal bishop, and the
last can't live without a parochial priest ; what
think you now, are they like to agree ?

Theoph. No, I think not, if they hold to the
point.

Am. Let the point be what it will, these are
the stately turrets of Straboggy, where I fancy

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 223

the bogs would baffle our horses, did not a coun-
termarch towards our native country sweeten
the toil. So our delicious fragrancies, were they
stuck in these northern fields, would certainly
perfume them.

Theoph. You have eminent thoughts of home ;
but how will it happen to us here, coming so
unexpectedly upon our landlord ?

Arn. Trouble not yourself with that affair,
for he is never unprovided of good entertain-
ment.

Tlieoph. Nor I of an appetite, for my stomach
stands sentinel.

Arn. So does mine, to encounter good com-
mons.

The&ph. How vainly do we flatter our selves,
that in these solitary fields, immur'd with moun-
tains and besieg'd with bogs, where heath and
haddir are the height of our horses, there to ex-
pect moor-fowl and manchet inseparable compa-
nions ? No no, let a dish of sewins serve us for
supper, rather than dream of a delicious regalia ;
and instead of an olio, a broil'd haddock ; or it
may be a Scots collop, if we can get it. But I'le
welcome any thing that comes seasonably to
thaw the icicles that flatten the edg of my appe-
tite ; so that now if only to find the people cour-
teous, tho not over-curious, and their pantries
provided with meat, tho themselves be destitute

NORTHERN MEMOIRS

•f manners, it matters not. We are capable
enough to distinguish academies from ale-houses,
and change houses from a royal-exchange. What
matters it then for cooks, where every man may
dress his own commons ? and let the provision
of this day's exercise (if trout and plover be food
fit for travellers) be my care ; and Tie supervise
the roast, whilst you rest your self, and send
you summons upon the first savory scent.

Am. You have very well contriv'd to salute
our mouths with a modicum, lest our appetites
alienate ; for if fasting too long brings equal
danger with a riot of feasting, a surfeit of either
may impare the mediocrity of health : for as the
one ushers in fevers that terminate in flames, so
the other, in regard of its moist frigidity, melts
all the members into a deluge, by extinguishing
the irradiating vital heat; which insensibly draws
on a deprav'd ferment, preternatural to the ar-
ch eus or rector of the ventricle. Thus we range
the world, by rifling Scotland, to refresh our
selves ; and blot out those limpid streams of
Trespey, that glide so smoothly near to the fa-
mous foundations of Bogagieth ; which beyond
dispute discovers the glory of Scotland epito-
miz'd in this short day's expedition.

Theoph. Now should the flaming steeds of the
sun touch the cusp of the horizon before we rise,
would not all mankind conclude us affected with

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 225

ease and idleness ? and if so, then mark the con-
clusion, the sluggard he is ravished with ease
and long nights ; and the epicure in raptures at
a luxurious table. Now see what follows ; but
as disease is the child of intemperance, and idle-
ness the parent of penury and want; disease
therefore is the reward of repletion, and death
the final captivator of mortals.

Arn. This discourse I perceive has brought
something to bear ; for now I see the world's
great luminary gild the rocks, and polish the sur-
face of the smoother streams. The heavens shine
their blessings most propitiously upon us ; but
the earth beyond dispute will prove rugged and
knotty, (since reflecting on my self) that from
Straboggy to Aberdeen, there's not a more irre-
gular path in Scotland.

Theoph. We must take it as it falls, and be
•thankful for it ; however we are in our way for
England.

Arn. There's the magnet that attracts the
Chalybs, the root of the matter I perceive lies
there ; England is the end, and Scotland the
mean. However, we must pass by the flourish-
ing streams of Dee, so much discours'd by every
angler, where the generosity of every ford fur-
nishes him with trout ; as do her solid and more
torpid deeps accommodate him with salmon, had

226 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

we leisure to experience them ; but time, like us
and our occasion, rides post.

Theoph. If opportunity and importunity strike
difficulties dead, then why do we ramble these
rolling streams, and produce nothing ?

Am. Yes, but we do, if only to tell the
world that the Marquess JVIontross, a peer of the
kingdom, and a general of incomparable conduct
and courage, in these solitary fields (though with
but a small brigade of souldiers) fought with his
country-men, and totally routed them. And to
make the miracle yet more miraculous, this fa-
mous martialist obtained another signal victory ;
though when under those ill circumstances, as
not to reinforce himself; yet with that bravery
he redoubled his resolution, and fought them
under the very walls of this flourishing Aber-
deen, from whence he brought off the trophies.
And this is that famous Aberdeen, whose west-
ern suburbs are guarded by the hills ; as are
those levels more easternly saluted by the ocean.

Theoph. Is this that Aberdeen so generally
discoursed by the Scots for civility ?

Arn. Yes, and humanity too ; for it's the pa-
ragon of Scotland.

Theoph. Why do not you call it by the name
of a city ?

Arn. It matters not much for that, since the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 227

general vogue of a town serves as well : how-
ever it's a corporation, and that's enough ; and
I'm convinced it stands in a cultivated country,
that never knew the force of sterrility ; whose
banks are bathed with the glittering streams of
Dee, and her walls shaded with fertil corn fields,
promulgates plenty ; for heaven, by the law of
generosity, certainly has bless'd her : for here the
sun so moderates the cold in winter, that it sel-
dom or rarely freezes her sands ; whose increase
is multiplied from the generous breasts of the
ocean. And from whence both mariner and mer-
chant accumulate treasure, because to drag it
forth from the solid deeps of the sea ; when at
other times they import their goods into the
Highlands, as they export commodities into re-
mote countries.

Theoph. But the harbour, I fancy, that's some-
what too strait ; and the entrance, as I conceive,
much too narrow ; however it's examined secure
enough.

Arn. Peradventure it is ; yet these rocks at
the entrance terrify the pilot, as her harbour,
when entred, exhilarates the passenger. Now
the buildings of this city are framed with stone
and timber ; facing the sun, and fronting this
pleasant harbour : the streets also are large and
spacious, and the walls strengthned with towers
and buttresses of stone. So that nothing in my

•

228 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

opinion, remains defective to compleat them hap-
py ; for if not to waste by an overpluss, they can
never pine away by a want.

Theoph. I fancy this place situate in a plea-
sant part of a country ; and so was that relique
of antiquity we but newly past by, when ap-
proaching the suburbs of this flourishing city.

Am. You do well to remind me, for I had al-
most forgot it ; that was Old Aberdeen : things
that grow ancient, grow out of fashion ; how-
ever, it's the mother city of New Aberdeen, and
a university to boot, wherein stands an old wea-
ther-beaten cathedral, that looks like the times,
somewhat irregular : but of that I have little to
say, since others before me thought requisite
to erect such public places for private devotion,
when this presentgeneration conform themselves,
by contracting their congregations to lesser now.

Theoph. Is this Old Aberdeen an old univer-
sity ? why then a sophister may pick up as much
ethicks and politicks as will serve him to stuff
out a pair of lawn sleeves. Cathedrals in some
countries influence the inhabitants, as planets,
you know, have government over the vital parts.

Am. You must have a slash at the gown, I
perceive ; but what think you of the church in
New Aberdeen, (that's no cathedral) where the
magistrates sit under the soveraignty of the mace,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 229

and every merchant in his peculiar pew ; where
every society of mechanicks have their particu-
lar seats, distinguished by escutcheons, sutable
to their profession ; so that confusion seldom or
rarely happens amongst them, in quarrelling for
places ; where strangers are unsuspected for in-
formers and intruders, and the civillity of the
people such, that no man is left destitute of a
seat to sit on, but every one entertained answer-
able to his quality ?

Theoph. This is something like ; for it far ex-
ceeds the custom of England, where a man may
stand in some churches till his feet are surbeat,
yet nobody proffer him a remove, or a stool to
sit on.

Arn. But this is not all neither ; for here you
shall have such method in their musick, and
such order and decorum of song-devotion in the
church, as you will admire to hear, though not
regulated by a cantor or quirister, but only by
an insipid parochial clerk, that never attempts
further in the mathematicks of musick, than to
compleat the parishioners to sing a psalm in tune.

Theoph. You have concisely characterized
Aberdeen, with her inhabitants ; but what have
we here ? Cawses uncartable, and pavements
impracticable, pointed with rocky stumpy stones,
and dawb'd all over with dingy dirt, that makes
it impassible ; and the fields, as I conceive, are

230 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ten times worse, because o'erspread with miry
clay, and incumbred with bogs that will bury a
horse.

Arn. For better for worse, we must through
it, if intending to climb the southern elevations.
Now at the foot of this pavement there's a small
little harbour which they call Steenhive, but I
take the liberty to call it stinking hive, because
it's so unsavory ; which serves only for pirates
and pickeroons ; but it bravely accommodates
the Highlander for depredations.

Theoph. What fabrick is this that peeps out
of the ocean ?

Arn. Donnotter- Castle, surrounded with sea,
and waves for recreation dance about it : it's a
house so inoculated and cemented into rocks,
that a man would fancy it to swim in the ocean ;
and the natural strength so impregnable, suppo-
seth the artificial but inconsiderable, whose rocky
foundations, like Atlas's pillars, support the bulk
of this gaudy fortress. For art and artist are
but nature's substitutes ; where-ever therefore
nature ceaseth to operate, then is the time for
artist to begin his progress. But nature has
finished what she had to do, and has left nothing
for the artist to practise, save only to adorn the
natural excellency. After this manner is that
artificial imbellishment, for the rock it self is the
natural strength, then the castle can be but the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 231

artificial. From when we conclude, that nature
and art have form'd such a fabrick for strength
and beauty, that amuzes and amazes every be-
holder.

Theoph. I behold and consider this invincible
castle, lifted up like a cloud into the ambient
air. I have also considered the gaity of her gal-
leries, and those ornaments that adorn her gau-
dy frontiers. I have also considered those oppo-
site mountains, whose formidable aspect are no
pleasing prospect to those imbellish'd battle-
ments, that seemingly float in the arms of the
ocean.

Arn. You have hit the key, and now let me
tune up the instrument ; those mountains mar
all : yet in this fair fortress they conceal the Re-
galia's of Scotland, from such sacrilegious hands
that would steal diadems to adorn their ambi-
tions ; so rob their prince to inrich themselves ;
for here it is, in this solitary^rock besieged with
sea, that Scotland has conceal'd both ornament
and treasure ; and what greater ornament to a
prince than a crown ?

Theoph. That I can believe as an article of my
creed, yet all is not gold that glisters ; for should
all reports pass muster for realities, truth it self
might be brought into the scandal of suspicion.
That the crown has been lodg'd in Donnotter, I

232 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

dispute not, yet Dumbarton I should think in
all respects as secure, and Edinburgh- Castle as se-
cure as either, to conceal that treasure from de-
generate mercenaries, that would violate their
trust though they venture to hang for it.

Arn. You are in the right on't, but the road
I fancy runs not so rough as it did ; nor are
my apprehensions of England so remote as they
were : both the way and the weather favour our
designsinthis southern expedition: for England's
our prospect, now propound you the object :
and as we ride along to the town of Montrose,
signify your opinion of the flourishing Aber-
deen.

Theoph. You impose a little too hard upon
me; I can scarcely express my opinion of a place,
but I must be sentenced too much to commend
it. On the other hand, should I lessen or im-
pair their civilities, then you challenge me to re-
flect on our civil entertainments. This dilem-
ma I am driven to. However you cannot deny,
but acknowledg, that Aberdeen is sweetly situ-
ated, and under the government of well-regula-
ted magistrates : No complaint of poverty, nor
luxurious superfluities ; where the houses are
fill'd with hospitality, not with prophaneness ;
their streets and allies cleanly swept and paved,
and their church and state-house very curious-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 233

ly kept, after the best methods of the Scotish
mode. But how Montrose will represent unto
us, that I suspend to determine till farther ex-
amination.

Am. Trouble not your self with that affair,
for Montrose will murder all your suspicions.
Her generous entertainments in every angle,
like radiated beams of the sun that invigorate
the earth, so naturally do the inhabitants influ-
ence their civilities amongst strangers ; which
remonstrates Montrose a beauty that lies con-
eeal'd, as it were, in the bosom of Scotland ; most
delicately drest up, and adorn'd with excellent
buildings, whose foundations are laid with po-
lish'd stone, and her ports all wash'd with the
silver streams that trickle down from the famous
Ask. This is Montrose in the county of Angus,
antiently known by the name of Caelurcha. Tell
me how you like it, whose gaity and gallantry
springs from the nobility and gentry ; but the
wealth of the city, from her merchants and ma-
nufacture : and though you see not her harbours
deck'd with delicate shipping, yet she contents
herself with a pleasant river, that commodes the
inhabitant with the blessings of plenty, and that's
enough. So to sum up all in a compendious
narrative, we intitle Montrose the Mount of
Hoses.

Theoph. What encomium more elegant, or

234 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

what character more eminent for these sweet si-
tuations, than the Rosy Mount of our northern
latitude ? Nay, what expressions could be add-
ed more compendiously significant to charac-
terize the beautiful elevations and imbellish-
ments of Montrose, I know not : then let this
short derivation answer all objections ; whilst we
enter her ports, and use arguments of refresh-
ment to our hostile appetites, in regard so fa-
mous a river as the famous Ask salutes her banks
and flourishing shores with daily supplies, to
relieve her inhabitants, and accommodate stran-
gers.

Arn. Now our next advance is to the town
of Dundee : but give me leave to call it deplo-
rable Dundee, and not to be exprest without a
deluge of tears ; because storm'd and spoil'd by
the rash precipitancy of mercenaries, whose ra-
pinous hands put a fatal period to her stately
imbellishments, with the loss of many innocent
lives, altogether unconcern'd in that unnatural
controversy.

Ah, poor Dundee ! torn up by the roots ; and
thy natives and inhabitants pick'd out at the
port-holes. Can honour shine in such bloody
sacrifices, to lick up the lives of inhabitants, as
if by a studied revenge ? Can nothing sweeten
the conquerour's sword, but the reeking blood of
orphans and innocents ? Blush, O heavens, what

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 235

an age is this ! There was wealth enough to an-
swer their ambitions, and probably that as soon
as any thing betrayed her. Could nothing sa-
tisfy the unsatiable sword, but the life of Dun-
dee to atone as a sacrifice ? English men with-
out mercy, are like Christians without Chris-
tianity ; no moderation nor pity left, but parcel-
ling out the lives of poor penitents in cold blood ?
Who must answer for this at the bar of heaven,
before the judg of all the world? But he that
doom'd Dundee to die, is dead himself, and
doom'd e're this ; and Dundee yet living to sur-
vive his cruelty.

Theoph. Is this Dundee ! Disconsolate Dun-
dee, where the merciless conquerour stuck down
his standard in streams of blood ?

Am. Yes, this is that unfortunate and deplo-
rable Dundee, whose laurels were stript from
the brow of her senators, to adorn the conquer-
ing tyrant's head. Here it was that every ar-
bour flourished with a fruitful vine ; and here
every border was beautified with fragrant flow-
ers. Yet her situation seems to me none of the
best ; for if bordering too near the brinks of the
ocean proves insalubrious, or stooping too low
to salute the earth, incommodes health by un-
wholsom vapours ; then to stand elevated a pitch
too high, suffocates with fumes, that equally of-

236 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

fend and infect the air, by blotting out sanity
with the soveraignty of life.

Theoph. This somewhat answers my former
opinion, that neither honour nor riches, nor the
ambitions of men, stand in competition with the
mediocrity of health ; nor is there any blessing
under the sun adequate to the soveraign sanc-
tions of sanity on this side eternity, but the ra-
dies of sanctification from the sun of righteous-
ness. The world's a fool, and none but fools ad-
mire it : Yet not that I prophane the beautiful
creation ; when only censuring that fictitious and
imaginary world in man. Go on with Dundee ;
I overflow with pity, and could wish my reluc-
tancy penitency enough to weep her into a reli-
gious repentance, but not with Rachel never to
be comforted. Hark, Arnoldus ! Don't you hear
the bells ?

Am. Yes, I hear them, and what of that ?
Bells and bonfires are two catholick drumsticks,
with which the church beats up for volunteers
only to debauch them. For what end were bells
hung up, if not to jangle ; and bonfires kindled,
if not to blaze like an ignis fatuus ? Thus peo-
ple uncultivated are like land untill'd, and arts
imimprov'd print the footsteps of penury. But
arts are improv'd by industrious ingenuity ;
when through want of ingenious industry they

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 237

slide into a non-entity. As no man can be truly
religious without good morals, so no man with-
out good morals can be in any measure religious.
Not that I assert religion is morality ; but mo-
rality is the porch that lets into the temple.

Theoph. You paraphrase upon bells ; I won-
der how you miss'd bag-pipes, since the one has
as much the root of the matter in't as the other.
By these mystical metaphors, if I hit the mark,
you present England an emblem of Canaan, and
Scotland but a piece of English imitation.

Arn. You don't hit the key right, but I per-
ceive England lies close siege in your bosom ;
however there ought to be some charity for Scot-
land, that so generously entertained you with
all sorts of varieties.

Theoph. Scotland 'tis true has variety enough
to confuse and confound all the cooks in Eng-
land.

Arn. All this I'll grant.

Theoph. Then you must grant their butter but
little better than grease we usually grease cart-
wheels withal ; wrhich nauseates my palat if but
to think on't, or remember the hand that made
it up. I know there are men that have maws
like muck- hills, that can feed as freely upon
tainted flesh, as you and I upon pheasant and
partridge.

Arn. What then ?

238 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theoph. Why then you argue as if you had
lost your English appetite, and I would not for
all the varieties in Scotland, that the resentments
of England should expire in my palat.

Arn. Does hunger make any distinction in
dainties ? if not, then why should Scotish kale
blot out the character of English colliflowers ?

Theoph. I shan't dispute the point, but the
very thoughts of England sweetens my appre-
hensions, that possibly e're long I may taste of
a southern sallad : However, this I'll say in the
honour of Scotland, that cold and hunger are in-
separable companions, but their linens are fresh ;
and were not their beds so short, they would
serve well enough for weary travellers.

Arn. Then I fancy they will serve well enough
for us, whilst we trace the fragrant levels of Fife.
For now we relinquish the beautiful ports of
Dundee, to transport in boats that are steer'd
with a compass of straw, by reason of the em-
bodied mists, to which Dundee is as incident as
any part, because standing in a bottom that's be-
sieged with mucky miry earth ; from whence
there insurrect such pernicious vapours, as nau-
seate the air ; whereby it becomes almost infec-
tious.

Theoph. Why so ?

Arn. Because it debilitates both the native
and inhabitant, and would certainly incapacitate

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 239

them of health and long life, did not custom and
a country-habit plead a prescription, both as to
physick and diet : Insomuch, that neither gass
nor blass, nor any nauseating suffocating fumes,
nor hardly death it self can snatch them from
Scotland ; where some natives have lived to a
prodigious age.

TheopJi. But to the country of Fife, I fear
you'l forget it.

Am. No, no, doubt it not, nor would I have
you startle the mariner, who, because destitute
of a card to pilot us over by, is compell'd to
make use of a compass of straw.

Theoph. A very ingenious invention ; pray tell
us the manner on't.

Am. Don't push too hard upon me ; and I'll
tell you this new way of navigation. When
cloudy mists arise that darken the face of the
firmament, and threaten danger without any dis-
turbance, you shall then see the seamen stuff the
stern with straw, as now they do with little
trusses, which they successively expose one at a
time ; and so supply it time after time from the
stem of the vessel, till at length they arrive at
the desired shoar, as now we do ; And thus have
I past and repast from Dundee. Nor is there
any difficulty nor danger to any man more than
hazarding his carcase in timber. Now welcome

240 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

ashore to the fields in Fife ; where we must ex-
change our navigable horses for hackneys.

Theoph. What must we call the name of this
town ?

Arn. Cooper in Fife ; it's a corporation.

Theopli. And what other town is that yet
more eastward, that seems to lean on the skirts
of the ocean ?

Arn. That's antient Saint Andrews, their me-
tropolitan university. Upon the same coast lie
Creel and Petenweems. More southerly yet
lies cockly Carcawdy facing the ocean, and the
frontiers of Leith : we shall only take a view of
the palace of Faulkland, though her fair imbel-
lishments outlustre Dumfermling.

Theopli. What's our next stage ?

Arn. Brunt-Island : but I must remind you
of the magnificent Palace of Scoon, forgot as we
past by the ports of Saint Johnstons, near whose
elevated turrets there stands a kirk, that stands
upon all the land in Scotland ; which kirk is
immur'd with a fair stone wall ; and in that kirk
they crown their kings, and perform the formali-
ties of all other royal duties ; which regalia are
the sword, spurs, purse, crown, globe, scepter,
and Bible. Now he's a dunce that knows not
this duty, because it's incumbent on all the king-
dom of Scotland.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 241

Theoph. But how stands the kirk upon all the
kingdom ?

Am. There's not a royalty in the kingdom of
Scotland, but has sent some part of earth (from
every angle) to this place called Scoon ; which
earth was dispersed by laborious industry ; upon
which the foundations of the kirk were laid. So
that now you are to consider this variety of
mould represents but one uniform and compact
body of earth : which earth represents the great
volume of Scotland in a breviat, or as I may term
it, a little compendium.

Thus our discourse of the kirk of Scoon has
accompanied us to a view of pleasant Carcawdy,
a little pretty maritime town (built all with
stone) that stands in the face of the ocean, and
the frontiers of Fife. But the time and our oc-
casion constrains us to pass by Carcawdy, where
the inhabitants live more upon fish than flesh ;
from whose slender ports we must hasten to
Brunt-Island, otherwise we endanger losing our
tide, which will much incommode us ; nor can
we stay there to examine their curiosities.

Theoph. What's this that so naturally repre-
sents the ocean ? And what are those ships, un-
der sail ? or must I fancy them a landskip of
moveable mountains ?

Am. If you fancy them ships fluctuating to
Q

242 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

and fro on those solid deeps to attempt that har-
bour, you are not much mistaken.

Theoph. Is there any town on those rocky
foundations ?

Am. Yes surely there is ; for we now discover
the pleasant shores of beautiful Brunt-Island,
guarded with rocks that front the harbour and
the pier of Leith ; over whose rubified sands we
must plough the ocean, to those delectable flou-
rishing ports ; provided the vessel be tite and
unleaky, as questionless this is, design'd for our
passage.

Theoph. However, I'll remind you of our ha-
zardous passage from Innerbrachy to the famous
Ness, as at another time our personal hazard,
when fording over Forres, and the rapid Tre-
spey ; besides other great rivers and rivulets in
our march, of very swift and violent motion ;
which we often discharg'd without the artifice
of boats : and yet I cannot help that natural an-
tipathy and aversion, that I find against timber
fortifications ; nor can I think them such sove-
raign security, but that sometimes they are ac-
compani'd with difficulties and danger. It's
true, I grant, that no man has an infallible pro-
tection for life ; nor a pre-knowledg of sickness
nor sudden solution.

Am. Well then, if so, transplant those fears

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 243

into foreign parts ; for we must certainly, and
that suddenly, expose ourselves to the mercy of
the sea, by the providence of God. Xor is the
danger more than imagination ; for the fear of
death to some men is more dreadful and terrible
than death it self; which great sea we must all
sail through, before we cast anchor in the port
of eternity.

Theopk. You have sodred the breach, and
salv'd the wound, that now I itch to be floating
on the ocean. However, before we embark for
Leith, let us give nature a Philip in the arms of
Brunt-Island.

Am. All this we may do, and view the situa-
tions too, which stands on a flat and flourishing
level, back'd by Fife, and the mountains of Mirt,
whose foundations are laid in rocky stone, and
beautified with the regularities of art, where
there's a small but secure harbour, to rescue the
retreats of the terrified passenger, when pursued
with the furious hostility of Neptune, whose
waves storm the shores, insinuating themselves
into every creek. But the beauty of Brunt-
Island lies most in her market-place, which serves
for an exchange, fronting the harbour, and fa-
cing the ocean ; where all or most of her mer-
chant's houses stand gazing on the beautiful Pier
of Leith.

Theoph. Is this the vessel devsign'd for our

244 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

passage ? I fancy the waves begin to work, for
my belly I'm sure begins to wamble. See how
the wrack of clouds thicken the air, and the un-
limited winds rend the sky. Who can judge the
result of these surly beginnings, or hope a good
issue in the conclusion ? The very body of the
sea divides, and opens like a sepulchre to swal-
low up the rocks, in whose concealments lie the
terrors of death. The deeps to my fancy are
broke up ; for my nauseating stomach ebbs and
flows with as strong irritations as the ebulitions
of the ocean.

Am. Those tides, I confess, must run violent-
ly swift, that are hurried along by such furious
agitations ; but for two tides to meet in one sea
together, one would think them enough to make
an inundation. Yet how soon these lofty winds
are supprest by a calm, and every mortal pre-
serv'd to a miracle. So that the results of this
impetuous storm, proves only a fresh and flou-
rishing gale, occasioned by the conflict of winds
and water ; which forceth the sea in some mea-
sure to be sick, and compels her to vomit, as
now she does, those nauseous ejectments, which
for ought I know, constrains your stomach to
lower and strike sail ; so keep time it may be
with the trepidating ocean ; whose irritations,
quickened by the universal motion, measure pro-
portion with the rest of the creation. So that

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 245

is kind of physick, if I calculate right, may
protract your tampering with physicians in the
fall.

Theopli. Of what I'm assurd, there's no need
to doubt ; you talk like a physician ; but not
that I think you a plagiary, that robs the dead
to adorn the living: nor a medicaster, upon whose
good deeds the sun always shines, but the earth
covers all his bad ones.

Arn. You have nick't it now I think ; how-
ever there's the Pier of Leith, and the beauty of
Scotland in a little epitome ; let us enter her
ports to refresh our selves.

Theopli. Shall our pinnace drop anchor here,
and the seamen refresh, whilst we step ashore
and accomodate our selves ?

Arn. Will you close up the orifice of your re-
laxed stomach with a glass of brisk claret ? So
mingle some liquor with your maritime labours,
and thank generous Neptune to act the part of
a physician, to shave off the foreign ferment from
your crude and indigestive ventricle.

Theoph. I think it not amiss to recal those
spirits, whose continued absence would enervate
my digestions, which now I perceive begin to
feel warmth ; and my stagnated unactive blood
grows more vigorous and active in circulation.
My pulse also, that beats with an equal motion,

246 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

and my body begins to summon supplies, to
gratify and satisfy a craving appetite.

Am. As these are certain symptoms of health,
you put a delay to what you solicit.

Theoph. If I do, what then ? There's a super-
annuated custom kept up among the antients ;
that to gratify the appetite violates the creation.
This was of old the Brachmans creed, and is to
this day the Banians Alcoran, except of late they
have changed their opinion : for they assert, that
nature would be unnatural to her self in the de*
struction of any thing wherein she favourably
had breathed a life.

Am. Was this the primitive practice of our
former ancestors ?

Theoph. I don't say it was ; I discourse the
Brachmans that offer this argument. No man
has a commission to create life, no man therefore
by any law or custom ought to take life away ;
which if he do, he makes himself an instrument
of unnatural cruelty, and his body a sepulchre
to bury dead carcasses in.

Am. But had they consulted our great ora-
cle Moses, and considered the great ends of the
great Creator, they would speak I fancy another
dialect, and render unto us a different interpre-
tation.

Theoph. Why so ?

Am. The Jews you may read had a sanction

NORTHEKN MEMOIRS. 247

among themselves, to celebrate sacrifices ac-
cording to the Law ; and the Christians have
a sanction among themselves also, to celebrate
the devotions according to their Gospel. But
the Banians comply with neither of these sanc-
tions, because placing a sanctity in custom and
opinion, not well considering that the world was
made for man, and not man for the world ; meats
for the belly, and not the belly for meats. This
in some measure might reform their error, and
undeceive deluded posterity, hudled under the
false gloss of custom and opinion. On the other
hand, as every man has a natural right and crea-
tional privilege as lord of the creation ; so no
man has a creational right, nor natural priviledge
to make his appetite the rule for destruction*
Providence allows due supplies to every man ;
but no man can warrant or justify his riot.

Theoph* Were this argument approv'd of, it
would, I suspect, overthrow our design of an*-
gling.

Arn~ Not at all ; for my opinion is, the argu-
ment it self manifestly strengthens it. The tex
calls to Peter, Arise, kill and eat ; and Peter ob-
jects against what's common and unclean : But
Peter was answered by a voice from heaven,
Nothing was unclean that God had cleansed.
Sacrifices and oblations were under the seal of
the Law, but the last supper and miracle shined

248 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

under the sunshine of the Gospel. Adam stood
unlimited, the forbidden tree only excepted.
Nature was unconfined, and the creation blest
with multiplicity of blessings, till Adam's trans-
gression. But as nature operates the will of the
Creator, so the nations shall bow to the Son of
God.

Theoph. So let the argument drop ; only give
us a description of the situations of Leith.

Am. Leith stands, as you see, situated on a
level surrounded by sea on the north-east ; and
guarded on the south with Neal's Craigs, and
Arthur's Seat, that hangs over Edinburgh. But
the fabricks of Leith are built with stone, ho-
vering over the pier, and fronting the ocean, al-
most drown'd under water ; and that which is
worse, if worse can be, those nauseating scents
suckt greedily from the sea, bring arguments of
disease, and sometimes summons for death. On
the other hand, Scotland cannot present you
with a more pleasant port ; for here the houses
and structures are large and lofty, and the pier
like a gnomen directs to the tolbooth. Here
also stands a substantial cawsey that leads to the
bridg, that brings you to a citadel that was, but
now is not, because hudled in dust, and ruinous
heaps ; yet not ruin'd by age, nor torn with the
sears and impressions of war ; but policy, and
not piety, laid her surface in the sand.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 249

TJieoph. What merchandize doth she trade
in?

Arn. For the most part she trades in foreign
commodities, except some manufactures of their
own, as ticking, bedding, tartan, pladding, Scots-
cloth, &c. So that Leith for trade, with her mer-
chandize for treasure, excels most, if not all the
maritime ports in Scotland.

Tkeoph. Pray, what other accommodation hath
she?

Arn. She has fish and flesh in abundance, viz.
oysters, cockles, muscles, crabs, craw-fish, lob-
sters, soles, plaice, turbet, thornback, cod, keel-
ing, haddock, mackrel, herring, &c. Then there's
salmon, trout, pike, perch, eel, &c. but their flesh
are beeves, veals, porks, veneson, kid, mutton,
lamb, &c. And their fowl are eagles, signets,
hawks, geese, gossander, duck and mallard, teal,
widgeon, cock, pidgeon, heath-game, moorfowl,
curlue, partridg, pheasant, plover, grey and
green* and many more that I cannot remember
So great is their plenty and variety, that did
not the popularity in Edinburgh render things
more chargeable than other parts more remote
up the country, a man might live almost with-
out expence. And now we relinquish the flou-
rishing ports of Leith, whose foundations are
daily saluted by the ocean. O, how sweetly the
weather smiles, the horizon looks clear, the sky

250 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

is serene, and the birds you may see them beat
the ambient air with their tunable notes ! Come,
Theophilus, let us mount our horses, and lift up
your eyes to behold those lofty imbellishments
of Edinburgh.

Theoph. They are obvious enough, half an
eye may see them.

Arn. Welcome to these elevated ports, the
princely court of famous Edinburgh. This city
stands upon a mighty scopulous mountain,
whose foundations are cemented with mortar
and stone ; where the bulk of her lofty build-
ings represent it a rock at a reasonable distance,
fronting the approaching sun ; whose elevations
are seven or eight stories high, mounted aloft
in the ambient air. But the length, as I take
it, exceeds not one mile, and the breadth on't
measures little more than half a mile ; nor is
there more than one fair street, to my best re-
membrance. But then it's large and long, and
very spacious, whose ports are splendid, so are
her well-built houses and palaces, corresponding
very much to compleat it their metropolis.

Theoph. What fabrick is that on the east of
Edinburgh ?

Arn. Hallirood- House, the regal court of
Scotland.

Theoph. But there's yet another great fabrick,
that presents westward.

XOHTHEllX MEMOIKS. 251

Am. That's Edinburgh-Castle, elevated in the
air, on an impregnable precipice of rocky earth,
perpendicular in some parts, rampir'd and bar-
rocadoed with thick walls of stone, and grafts pro-
portionable, to contribute an additional strength.
So that you are to consider this inaccessible cas-
tle shines from a natural as well as an artificial
product, because part of it you see contiguous
with the rock ; but the other part, because af-
fixed by cemented stone, which inoculates and
incorporates them so firmly together, that the
whole mass of building is of such incredible
strength, that it's almost fabulous for any man
to report it, or sum up the impregnable lustre
and beauty of this fair fortress, that defies all at-
tempts, except famine, disease, or treachery be
conduct ; so that culverins and cannons signify
but little, without bombs and carcasses. On the
other hand, the defendants must not be too li-
beral, lest their water forsake them sooner than
their ammunition ; so inevitably draw upon
them the foregoing consequence, and incom-
mode them with a thousand inconveniences.
True it is, many arguments of art and artillery
have been sent to examine this impregnable
castle, but none were ever found more success-
ful than hunger and disease, or the golden ap-
ples of the Hesperides. Such kind of magnets

252 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

muzzle mercenaries, and make them a golden
bridg to pass over.

Theoph. Is this fair fabrick the Parliament-
House, where the grandees sit on national af-
fairs ?

Am. Yes, this is their palace where the par-
liament sits to accommodate the kingdom ;
whose famous ports we now relinquish to take
a review of the bars of Musselburg. But that
on our right hand is delicate Dalkeith, sur-
rounded with a park ; and that on our left
hand is Preston-pans, where the natives make
salt from the brine of the ocean. That other
town before us is the corporation of Hadding-
ton ; and this is the Brill ; but the Bass you
may see is a prodigious rock, that makes an
island on the skirts of the ocean.

Theoph. Is this the place where the solon
geese breed, that are flesh in hand, but fish in
the mouth ? a mystery I fancy not inferiour to
the barnicle.

Arn. You say true, it's a great mystery, if
seriously to consider the footsteps of nature ;
which I shall explain without a paradox. Do
but observe that elevated rock that breaks the
air, in that seeming solitary floating island ; it's
upon that rock, and only there, that she hatches,
and initiates her young ones into the world, by

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 253

exposing her egg to the open air, and the ut-
most extremity of stormy winds ; and those
eggs, or the squirts (with other fowls) are so fix'd
by contact of a glutinous specimen to the re-
mote points of the rocks, that they seem conglu-
tinated, and so intirely inoculated, as that no ex-
tremity of weather can separate them asunder,
and where the female never hatches more than
one single egg at once : and that egg she plants
so evenly in the web of her foot, by placing her
body exactly over it ; that when she relinquish-
eth the rock for relief, with admirable circum-
spection she raises her self, by cautiously dila-
ting her web, as the aspry does to circulate the
air, who after the same method as when she
leaves her egg, so she falls by circulating the air,
and dilating her web in the same order and de-
corum as above ; with such an exact poize and
evenness of body to cover her egg, that no art
nor industry can imitate or accomplish. So that
the egg no sooner sprits, but it tumbles dowrn
into the brinish ocean for nature to nourish it.
After this manner she hatcheth her young ones ;
and after this manner 1 am authorized to publish
it

Theoph. So much for geese, this was a rarity
indeed ; but not so eminently remarkable as the
six great patriots of the English nation.

Arn. You push too hard upon me, however

254 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

I'll name them and no more : there were four
great Harries, (viz.) Ireton, Vane, Nevill and
Martin, and one marvelous Andrew, or Andrew
Marvel.

Theoph. Still here is but five, what's become
of the sixth ?

Am. You will find him at Dunbar swadling
the Scots.

Theoph. What ! England's great general, the
most renowned, valorous, and victorious con-
queror, Oliver Cromwel.

Arn. Yes, that was he that swing'd off the
Scots in those solitary planes, and swelling hills,
near the ports of Dunbar : there it was that
Cromwel and Lesly disputed by dint of sword,
and the formidable terror of gun-shot, in which
fatal engagement the Scots were routed, and
fled the field ; whilst the conqueror's army
sprinkled the earth with bloody sacrifices ; con-
verting the green meadows into purple planes.

Theoph. And did not that great general then
take in Tamtallon-Castle ?

Arn. Presently after he did ; and that's the
place ; how do you like it ?

Theoph. Not at all, I fancy it a place but of
little strength.

Arn. However it covers the pass of Coppers-
peth, that we now pass through to ascend these
dirty miry moors, which direct to the beautiful

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 255

battlements of Berwick, an English town upon
Scottish ground, whose banks are bath'd with
the sturdy torrents of Tweed, that descend from
a mountainous elevation, in or near to Errick-
steen ; distant about some eight or nine miles
from the famous Tintaw, whose eminent ascents
face the English frontiers, standing on the Bor-
ders or South Marshes of Scotland. So that
from Erricksteen, though some alledg from Tin-
taw, runs the glittering and resolute streams of
Tweed.

However Tintaw is a prodigious mountain,
whose lofty broaches break the burdned clouds.
And such is Errick, if fame be a true oracle,
that spouts forth three large and spacious rivers
that wash the pleasant banks of Scotland ; one
of them is Tweed (as above expressed) that runs
east directly to the town of Berwick, and espou-
seth her self with the ocean there ; gliding along
the English promontories, and is the original of
Tweed's Dale. Another river is Annon, that
bathes the fertil and florid banks of England,
and creates a dale, called Annon's Dale ; so
glides along towards the Quaking Sands ; and
not far from Carlisle lancheth forth into the
ocean. But the third is Cloyd, and is the last
mentioned ; yet is it nothing inferior to any of
the former. This river directs her course north
and by west, towards the lofty and domineering

256 NOTITHE11N MEMOIRS.

turrets of Dumbarton ; near unto those famous
elevations she mingles her streams with the pro-
found depths of the ocean, and is the author of
Cloyd's Dale.

Now all these spacious and peremptory ri-
vers, are derived from the springs in the moun-
tain of Errick ; but some alledg from Tin taw,
on whose top stands a capsula, on the front of
the hill directing southward ; from whence those
smaller streams separate themselves, through
craggy passages and cavities in rocks ; so trick-
ling down, they sprinkle the moorish meadows,
admitting of many other small rills and rivulets
to mingle with them, in their more resolute
passage.

Theoph. What have you there ?

Am. An aenigma of the famous Tintaw ;
which with much difficulty I procured from the
collections of a Scots antiquary, that lived some-
time in the town of Kilsieth ; who to answer my
solicitations concerning Tintaw, gave me, as you
may read, this following paradox.

On Tintaw top thar dwells a mist ;

And e'en that mist thar is a kist.
Spere in that mist, thar stands a cop,

And e'en that cop thar is a drop.
Take up the cop, drink oot the drop ;

Than put the kist intul the mist,
On Tintaw top.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 257

Theoph. What stuff's here? riddle me riddle
me, what's this ?

Am. It is a riddle, and stuff'd with varieties ;
and so let it remain till explicated by such as
travel those solitary tracts ; or solicit acquaint-
ance with some of our solent society. And
now Scotland I bid thee farewel, to advance
Great Britain's southern territories, (the mag-
net) only Berwick upon Tweed we select for
this night's accommodation, where we need not
doubt of English entertainment. That's the
town that discovers it self by those lofty tur-
rets ; let us sleep there this night, and bid Scot-
land farewel to morrow.

TJieoph. Rest and refreshment seem relatives
to travellers.

Am. So discourse and discovery of objects
and prospects claim a like privilege, to plant the
sweets of diversion in anglers and others.

Theoph. Yes surely, otherwise I had lost my
expectation ; and this day's journey broke the
heart of a traveller.

Am. Then to cement it again, what if I pro-
ceed to instruct you of all those eminent rivers
and rivulets, in our passage southward, till we
arrive at the beautiful streams of triumphant
Trent ; whose florid and fertil banks, with a ma-
jestick brow, smile on the amorous fields, and
England's Elizium, the forest of Sherwood;

R

258 NORTHERN MEMOIRS-

whose shady trees, as a pavilion, shelter and so-
lace the contemplative angler : there it is that
Philomel melts the air in delightful groves ;
there the hills will shelter us, the rocks surround
us, and the shady woods relieve and retrieve us,
whilst Nottingham, that nonsuch, doth sweeten
our ears with delicious concerts, and our eyes
with variety of buildings, that stand in a serene
and wholsom air. But their cellarage, beyond
compare, is the best in England, and most com-
modious, and the whole town situated on a plea-
sant rock ; where the streets are adorned with
beautiful houses, the florid fields fill'd with sweet
aroma's ; and the exuberant meadows enrich'd
with fragrant perfumes, that will ravish the an-
gler, if when to trace and examine the gliding
silver streams of famous Trent.

Theoph. Rome was not built in a day, nor are
my resolutions so precipitant to build without
materials ; for if rash results reap repentance, it's
good and wholsom e advice, to look before we
leap ; an old proverb is a good premonition, and
a timely premonishment prevents a premonire.
I cannot say where to settle, but am desirous
my lot may fall in or near to the forest of Sher-
wood, that mingles her shades with the florid
meadows that adorn the beautiful streams of
Trent ; on whose polite sands and murmuring
streams, I could freely espouse my vacant hours.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 259

Arn. In the mean time as we travel these
northern tracks, give me leave to inform you of
the names of those flourishing rivers, and glid-
ing rivulets, till our eyes make a discovery of
the beautiful and solitary shades of Sherwood,
whose amorous bovvers nature her self has curi-
ously drest up to adorn the delightful meadows,
and translucid streams of the famous Trent.
Where we may gratify and satisfy our selves
with the rod, and inrich our selves with the
sweet progress of peace : for having the forest
of Sherwood on the north, the vale of Belvoir
on the south, and the transparent glittering
streams in the centre, what can we propound to
sweeten our recreation more, than to mingle
our sober thoughts with the divine prospect of
contemplation ?

Theoph. I approve of your contrivance for a
solitary life, which gratifies and compensates both
labour and study.

Arn. And will it not furnish us with argu-
ments against immoderate excess, and the vio-
lent pursuit after recreation ? Besides, it will
sweeten our lives with the life-touches of ver-
tue, and the property of such things as may best
conduce to the present occasion ; as also for our
future advantage. As for example ; when re-
turning from Trent triumphant with spoil, what
hinders us to refresh with rhetorick from Apol-

260 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

lo ? I know that you'l grant piety the best ex-
positor of a holy life ; and if so, it gives us the
most lively and amiable prospect of eternity,
whilst the world, and malicious men, like ra-
venous vultures, unnaturally tear out one an-
others bowels.

Theoph. It's true, I acknowledg that sin, like
a cart-rope, draws down destruction on every
generation : And is not that generation ripe
enough for destruction, where the streets are
storm'd with oaths and impieties; and the houses
blackned with blasphemous imprecations; not
a sin cruciated, nor a lust mortified ? Surely that
nation stands a tip-toe that leans upon the rot-
ten props of pride; and will not pride (think
you) sink it self, so inevitably fall with its own
weight ? Look but upon the foundation of na-
tional piety ; and youl see how it lies in the
arms of national polity. Will this suppress the
vice of the times, and work a reformation in re-
ligion and good manners, such as cruciat Christ
every day, vilifie Christianity, by putting Christ
to open shame, and a rape upon conscience to
gratify their luxury. So not only endangers
themselves, but that nation, and those natives so
unhappy to live with them.

Arn. Though a spark of fire shine bright, yet
every shining spark is not a star ; nor does the
orderly laying the sacrifice on the altar, merit

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 261

the descent of fire from heaven to kindle it : that
man that acts by the law of his lust, imprisons
his faith, and murders his reason. There is a ge-
neration of men that call the Sacred Scriptures a
scare-crow of religion, to frighten people from
the duties of Christianity ; nay they'l tell you,
that Faith, Hope, and Charity are useless instru-
ments and arguments to explain the mind of
God : but such men approve themselves profi-
cients of hell, that run besides the text to become
disobedient to all the commandments. Man
blown up with the blast of ambition, makes it a
rule of faith to study revenge ; so puts a sword
to his own throat, and yet cries out some other
hurts him. Hypocrites of all men are dip'd in
the deepest die, and doom'd to a lower hell than
either Scribe or Pharisee : whilst the more reli-
gious contemplate vision, and seek the seraphick
life of angels, which inclines me to an hermetick
life, that speaks more piety than pageantry ;
more religion than prophaneness ; more services
than sacrifices ; more adoration to God, than to
temples built with hands. But where are we
now ? see here, Theophilus.

TJieoph. What shall I see ?

Am. Beggarly Belgrade, the first post stage
in England.

Theoph. Indeed I took it for a remnant of

262 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Scotland, but arn glad to discover my native
country in any dress : I fancied I felt English
air, before I touch'd English earth.

Arn. Here's another object.

Tlieoph. What's that ?

Arn. The ruins and remains of an antient cas-
tle, whose beautiful impressions are almost blot-
ted out, by the shady strokes and impressions of
time, that writes marginal notes on her totter-
ing battlements. And such is the town, crazy
and weather-beaten, standing upon stilts ; and
because besieg'd with an unwieldy wall, makes
it look not unlike a pilgrim ; or rather an infirm
penitent, that moves slowly and creeps to his
grave ; so do her antient ruins slide into dust :
these are her ports, if you please let us enter.
Near to this Alnwick runs the River Aln, or ra-
ther a rivulet. Distant from hence about some
seven miles southward, stands Felton-Bridg,
built all with stone, under which there glides
most limpid streams that accommodate the an-
gler.

Tlieoph. Shall we touch there ?

Arn. Not now, time won't permit us ; but as
we descend these mountains, we discover Mor-
peth, whose banks are bath'd with the river Mor,
where as yet remain the reliques and ruins of an
antient castle, whose beauty is almost blotted

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 263

out with age, or some other irregularities, that
prognostick time or war the fatal instruments to
deface her battlements.

Theopli. What fair object is that before us ?

Arn. This eminent object that we now dis-
cover, is the town of Newcastle, rich in mer-
chants, and many other gentlemen of valuable
estates ; the wealthy walls of this town are wash'd
with the profitable streams of Tine ; a river that's
not only considerably deep, but proportiona-
bly large and spacious, whose banks and shores
are sullied with coal ; whose product supplies all
the southern parts, and accommodates Kngland,
which otherwise would be all ice, were not New-
castle sun enough to thaw it ; and London, I per-
swade my self would be but a cold constellation,
did not this ignis fatuus shine in every corner of
her beautiful palaces. Nay, most of our mari-
time towns, and all her Cinque-Ports, would coa-
gulate into a concression, did not this blazing
comet shine in every chimney. But I must rer
linquish this mundane star, to climb up the south,
to those most pleasant and beautiful galleries of
Albion.

TJieoph. What town is this ?

Arn. This is Durham (and a palatinate) where
you may see an eminent but antient cathedral,
begirt with the self-same wall that encircles the

264 NORTHKKN MEMOIRS.

town ; whose foundations are wash'd with the
streams of Weer ; and where the palaces are plea-
sant, and in some parts beautiful, because sha-
dowed with art, and polish'd with industry. Nay,
the whole country presents a scene of pleasure,
because plentifully stock'd with corn and cattle.
Moreover it is very well supplied with coal, but
not to ballance with the stock of Newcastle.

TJieoph. Whereabouts are we now ?

Am. Our course directs us to dirty Darling-
ton, and that's a town that stands in stiff clay,
yet centred in a plentiful part of a country.
More southward yet, and about some three miles
off, glide the glittering streams of the river Tee,
whose fords are furnish'd with incomparable
trout, as are her deeps with the race of salmon.
But our next post-stage is the town of North*
Ollerton, (a northern situation) famous for no-
thing that I know of, except a weather-beaten
castle, demolish'd with age, and the ruins of
time, which serves as a reception now for bats
and buzards, owls and jack-daws. However, the
town stands sweetly situated in a rich soil, and
fertil fields ; witness her plenty of corn, and her
fair and large-headed cattle. More southward
yet, and about some seven miles from hence,
stands the town of Topliff; but at the south end
of the town stands a bridg of stone, that strad-

NORTHERN MEMOIHS. 265

dies over the sullen Swale. There is little re-
markable here besides the river, except the soil
and solitary meadows.

Theoph. Whereabouts are we now ?

Arn. Why now we are come to Burrough-
Brigs ; at the north end thereof runs the river
Yor, into which falls the trembling streams of
Neid ; so incorporating together, they gulf into
Owse. In these solitary fields, there stand seven
great prodigious stones, elevated like pyramids
in the ambient air, of such vast magnitude (and
regular proportion) that they strike deep impres-
sions into the solid body of earth, I curiously
enquired after the meaning of these reliques,
but no man was found to answer my inquisi-
tions ; from whence I concluded these signal re-
membrances might remain as trophies or monu-
ments of victory ; and that the natives and in-
habitants that dwelt thereabouts but little busied
themselves to rifle into records. Further than
this, I can give no account.

Theoph. Whereabouts stands York ?

Arn. The city of York stands distant from
these pleasant fields, about some seven or eight
northern miles : the foundation of whose flou-
rishing ports are washed with the mild and mo-
derate waves of the navigable Owse ; whose
owsy shores, and silent sullied streams mingle

themselves with the more resolute torrents of

12

266 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Trent, and so gulph into the spacious arms of
Humber. In this city you shall see a sumptuous
cathedral, imbellished with art and polish'd stone :
every one that sees it, admires and commends
it ; and so do I for a rare piece of art, and a beau-
tiful fabrick.

'Iheopli. And what then, is it ever the better
for your admiring on't ?

Am. It's never the worse, nor is Weatherbee
neither, through which runs Warff; where there
stands a stately bridg of stone, over those rocky
foundations that secure her scaly inhabitants,
viz. the trout and salmon. From hence we fadg
to Ferry-Brigs ; but in our passage, we meet with
a knotty stony cawsy that accommodates the tra-
veller, when the banks o'reflow those florid mea-
dows. About three miles southward there runs
a rivulet, but I call it a rill, that gives name to
the town ; where note, the inhabitants call it
,Went-Bridg.

Theoph. Whereabouts are we now ?

Arn. On the skirts of Doncaster, so called
from the river Dun, portable sometimes to the
verge of the town ; at other times hardly water
enough to turn a mill, or float a cock-boat. It's
a corporation, and a manufacture; if weaving
and knitting stockings, and wastcoats will war-
rant it. Now you must know that this town
stands in the post-road, where a man may be

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 267

welcome that brings money ; otherwise he may
step by the borders of Bawtry, and consult the
melancholy streams of Idle, whose banks are
burdned with segs and bulrushes. But these
glittering streams over which we now pass, flow
from the sharps of merry Merial.

TJieoph. Why then we touch on the skirts of
the Forest.

Am. We have pass'd through the heart on't,
for now we discover the weather-beaten walls,
and the ruinous battlements of the town of
Newark, whose flourishing fields are bath'd with
the slippery streams of silver Trent, that glides
along through the fragrant fields, to wash the
foundation of her florid meadows ; so tumbles
down, but with a soft and murmuring noise,
from her more remote and westerly fountains.
Thus Trent slides along through diversified mix-
tures, and various soils, (besides polite and glit-
tering sands) amalgamiz'd with marly oakry
earths, alabaster rocks, red and discoloured clays,
and polish'd pavements of transparent stones.
So that from the west, with a strong and swift
current, Trent drinks up the torpid surly Sow
that floats near the walls of the town of Stafford.
And then the timorous Tame falls in, that glides
below the town of Tarn worth ; the silent Dove
also, that melts the smiling banks of Tidbury,
mingles her streams with Trent below Monk's

268 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Bridg. And the resolute Darwin that salutes
the ports of Derby, falls into Trent below Wil-
den-Ferry. So the sullen Soar that leads through
Leicester, glides into Trent near to RedHill. Be-
sides the little Leen, whose limpid streams wash
the beautiful rocks and the shores of Nottingham,
she also pays tribute at Trent-Bridge, and the
smooth faced Snite, that scours the vale of Bel-
voir, slides into Trent near the sandy foundations
of Newark. But nearer the Marshes falls in the
Merial ; so does the Idle in the Isle of Axholm.
The portable streams of Owse also salute the
torrents of Trent, before her espousals with the
spacious Humber ; for till then Trent retains
her original name, notwithstanding the various
and complicated mixture of streams, which are
many more that glide into Trent, and would
swell my volume if but to name them,

Theoph. If they be nameless, let them alone ;
and proceed, if you please, with the coporation of
Newark.

Arn. Newark, you may see her antient ports
stoop with age, and her bulwarks lie buried in
sandy earth, and amalgamiz'd together with the
surface of the soil, whose banks are saluted with
the torrents of Trent, and whose sandy founda-
tions, and cultivated fields sweetned with the
fragrances of her florid meadows, adorn the north;
but most pleasant and delectable pastures adorn

'

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 269

the east, whilst her southern fields are fill'd with
the treasures of corn ; besides the fertility of the
flourishing vale of Belvoir supplies her granaries ;
as her western fragrant meadows reach up to
Nottingham. So that upon the matter this town
of Newark (but not Noah's- Ark) is besieged with
plenty.

In the center of this town is an exact pave-
ment, quadrangular, regular, uniform and spa-
cious ; and in the center of this center stands a
market-house, piazza'd or bolstred up with wood-
en props, commoded with a roof of lead and tile;
but the general scope of this fair pavement re-
quires a more exact method of pen than mine is,
to describe it. For that end I proceed to some
other particulars, as their gates ; because when
to consider that this town of Newark (to my ob-
servation) has but one fair street, which is called
by the name of Todman-Street ; but the gates
are Miln-gate, Middle-gate, Kirk-gate, Castle-
gate, Nor- gate, Appleton-gate, Barnby-gate,
Bolderton-gate and Carter-gate. There is also
Beamont-cross, Potter-dike, Hell-end, andCotes-
Bridg.

From the south-west end of this maiden ga-
rison, stood the Queen's Sconce, facing the Trent,
but the King's Sconce (or sconce royal) was to
the eastward. So that the whole town seemed
almost invincible, (as it was defensible) because

270 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

so well defended with men, arms, ammunition,
and artillery, besides such deep graffs, bastions,
horns, half-moons, counter-scarps, redoubts, pit-
falls, and an impregnable line of sadd and turff,
palizadoed and stockaded, and every fort so fur-
nished with great guns and cannon, that this
bulky bulwark of Newark represented to the be-
siegers but one entire sconce ; and the two royal
forts, the formidable flankers : nor was there a
tree to hinder her prospect.

At the north end of Newark, supervising the
Trent, (and her redolent meadows) stands to this
day the relicks and ruins of a fair Castle, whose
solid foundations were cemented with stone ; and
all the walls, buttresses and battlements with the
same material ; whose imbellished front over-
look'd the fragrant meadows of Trent, and was
the last reception for King John ; who, after his
return from Swinsted-Abby, (where the monk
poisoned him) lodg'd within the portals of this
fair palace. There it was that he seal'd the de-
crees of death that compell'd him to take leave
of the world. Another curiosity is their Colle-
giate Church, beautified and garnished with fair
free- stone. The quire or body, and the isles,
very large and spacious ; the roof covered all
over with lead, but the broach and tower excels
in height, because to vie with most parochial
churches in England. This maiden garison had

NOnTHERN MEMOTKS. 271

her ports guarded with artillery (as above ex-
prest) and was made equal in success with the
most fortunate garisons relating to the royal in-
terest.

Here are four fairs quarterly proclaimed every
year by the mayor and aldermen of the town of
Newark ; besides the weak-day market, and a
running trade with the country round about
them. From the north come those large and
fair fronted cattle, that fill Newark folds ; and
on Wednesday every week their market is duly
observed, where you may see this large pave-
ment as 'twere overspread and crouded with
corn, and the shambles, as any market in the coun-
ty, furnish'd with flesh : besides in the very front
of this general exchange, the stalls are as well
burden'd with fish. Moreover, fowl, with fruits,
and many other entertainments, they have in
abundance. But now I think it high time to
relinquish the ports of Newark, to scale the fa-
mous ascents of Trent, whose generous streams
invite us westward.

Thcoph. This corporation (I perceive) by your
relation, has been a fortress almost impregnable.
Arn. There was none beyond it northward,
and I'm sure southward there was none compa-
rable to it. So that above and beneath this town
of Newark, as we ride along, you may observe

272 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

mighty blough banks, and incomparable deeps,
with pleasant, slaty, and secure fords, polished
with gravel, and enamel'd with sand ; but in
some other parts, you shall observe but little dis-
proportion betwixt the surface of earth, and the
level of Trent ; when on a sudden again, some
knotty coagulum of incrustated earth (sometimes
rocky and sometimes marley) steps up to secure
the continent, and rebuke her swelling murmur-
ing streams, seemingly discontent to leave the
amorous shores in their more rapid and violent
precipitation.

Theoph. What town call you this, about some
two miles from Newark ?

Am. This is Farnton, which fares very well
from the benevolent breasts and amorous arms
of Trent ; whose shores are saluted with her si-
lent streams, as her meadows are enrich'd with
the soveraign soil of Trent, that makes glad her
inhabitants. So that from Farnton about a mile
or two stands Stoak in a sweet soil, whose banks
and shady bowers are perpetually bathed with
the solitary gliding streams of Trent, that smile
on her florid fields, whilst the beautiful fragrant
meadows are constantly courted with soft salutes
and embracements from the mild and moderate
streams of our western fountain.

Theoph. What a pleasant part of a country is
this !

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 273

Am. Pleasant do you say ! do but propound
-what pleasure is, and see if any place in Eng-
land excels it. This is the place that's call'd Ha-
zelford-clift, from a stately imbellished flourish-
ing wood, that borders south on the side of Trent,
that climbs up a rocky and mouiitanous eleva-
tion, facing the north, and the delectable shades
of the forest of Sherwood ; whose beautiful banks
and delightful shores, are celebrated to the plea-
sant amours of Trent, defended on the south by
the Vale of Belvoir, and guarded from the north
by the shady trees of the forest : but her east is
refreshed by fragrant meadows, cultivated fields,
and delightful pastures, adorned with most ex-
cellent rills, rivulets and fountains. This is our
inamouring northern prospect, the angler's Ar-
cadia, the greatest aviary, and the most melli-
fluous concert in Nottingham- shire. Nay, it's
England's Elizium, if Elizium be any where.
Of which, if any doubt to trace or find out, it's
here to be found, if any where in England ; other-
wise he may conclude that Elizium's but a fic-
tion ; for if not understood in these fragrant
fields, pardon me to think, nay I dare to assert
it's no where else.

Theoph. Indeed it's a sweet place, I have ne-
ver seen the like before ; but what town is that ?

Arn. This town we call Knieton ; it stands
yet more west, elevated on a rocky precipice of

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

alabaster, and red marly earth, hovering over the
streams of Trent ; and borders on the skirts of
the Vale of Belvoir, facing the Forest; andBridge-
ford lies much on the same level, west south-
west, guarded with rocks and stately mountains,
opposite, as I take it, to the inundations of Trent.
But the town of Gun thorp stands directly north,
blest with flourishing and florid meadows; whose
fragrancy oftimes perfumes the shores, as Trent's
proud waves besprinkle her sands. Shelford,
you may see, inclines yet more westward, whose
foundations I have considered lie so low and flat,
that they level the very surface of Trent ; but
Burton and Bulcoat stand north of her ruins,
and are shaded by the flourishing trees of the
Forest.

Theoph. What have we here ?

Am. Gedlin and Carleton, these lie yet more
west, and incline, if I mistake not, two points to
the northward; but the palace of Holm-pier-point
adorns the south : from whose beautiful eleva-
vations we discover the battlements, and some
part of the situations of famous Nottingham ;
whose odoriferous gardens perfume the air ; and
whose florid fields, and fragrant meadows, glut
the scickle, and satiate the sithe.

Theoph. Grant my allowances, and I'll give
you my opinion ; and not stick to tell you, that
Trent surpasseth Tagus, notwithstanding the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 275

boast of her golden sands ; whose transparent and
translucid streams strike deep impressions, and
ravishing refreshing resentments, inviting the
contemplative angler to consider the plenty, and
the great variety that are daily drag'd forth out
of her bountiful and well furnished streams,
enough one would think to cause admiration,
which formerly I could never believe : but now
I'm convinced beyond opposition.

Am. Nay, 'tis true, and I can tell you more ;
that Speed and Cambden, both of authentick
authority, will also tell you, that the swelling
breasts of admired Trent, hourly relieve thirty
sorts offish ; and that her arms embrace as many
market-towns, and as many castles are implant-
ed on her cultivated suburbs ; and that thirty ri-
vers also mingle themselves with Trent's more
resolute and sturdy streams, and with the loss
only of their virgin names : which report if any
one question it, you shall find recorded in volu-
minous history. But had they practically and
experimentally consulted Trent, as my self (and
some others) have done, they had without dis-
pute met with more variety of fish than they in-
serted, or modestly included in their publick im-
pressions.

Theoph. That's strange ; pray untie the knot.

Am. What great difficulty is it, think you,
to prove that, that every angler frequently ex-

2?6 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

periments, if he but take pains to examine her
fords, or seriously peruses this catalogue of fish ;
where he shall find twenty two sorts of edible
fish that daily accost the silver streams of Trent.
Now the rest you are to consider, especially some
of them, are never to be dealt with by the trem-
bling rod, nor the feeble force of a slender line.
Such fish, I must confess, as are more than or-
dinarily resolute, are doom'd to die by the law
of the noosy net.

Theoph. You have the catalogue I presume,
pray accommodate me with it.
Am. That I'll freely do. Here-
Hold forth your hand, and take this little book,
And when you fish, on your directions look ;
Till theory speak you master, then you may
Compleat your self in practicks day by day.
So understand the various change and season,
How to catch fish, and after give your reason.
There's few that fish these streams know all the fish
The Trent affords to anglers, and their dish :
Here's pickrel, barbel, burbolt, rud and roach,
Graylin, flounder, cheven, perch and loach,
Bream and tench, carp and gudgeon, dace and ruff,
Eel, lampre, bleak, minue, some silk, some stuff.
Twenty in number I have here exprest,
Some daily taken ; season for the rest.
There yet remain two nobler sorts behind,
To make them twenty two ; but then their kind
Are trout and salmon, those are fish that waste
In time of travel, besides they lose their taste

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 277

And sweet complexion ; chiefly at such time
When out of season ; what remains in prime
Summer and winter, spring and autumn flees :
The blooming leaf drops from the fading trees.
Nature appropriates each thing to its kind,
As well in fish as flesh, this truth we find
By daily observation ; provide we
Search but the records, and the mysterie
Of mother art, by nature first instructed,
From whence all finite beings are producted.

Theoph. Now I'm convinced.

Am. Then it's your duty to labour to con-
vince others.

Theoph. So I will, if the angler's catalogue
can do it.

Am. And if that won't do it, let it be un-
done : However it may serve some juniors for
diversion.

Theoph. Ay, and seniors too, had we but your
additional supplement of the residue of fish ;
which being wanting, will, in my opinion, ren-
der the residue of your discoveries imperfect.

Am. That I resolve against, though we drag
them forth from their holds and fastnesses by vio-
lence. And first, I'll begin with the sturgeon,
then the shad, the porposs, the congar, lampern,
fluke, the aromatick smelt, sandeel, craw-fish,
bulhead, and that little supernumerary the bant
or stittlebag ; which needs no net to drag him
out.

278 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Theoph. Nor an arithmetician to sum them
up, for my calculation compleats them to thirty-
three; besides some foreigners, to most unin-
telligible. Now as we trace the beautiful banks,
and the amorous shores of famous Trent, that in-
vites to solitudes and experience, we may mingle
rewards among our recreations, and sweeten our
labours and industry with divine contemplation ;
a study the indigent world is ignorant of. What !
are these the stupendous fabricks of Notting-
ham, whose foundations are laid in rocky sand,
and so firmly rivited into the bowels of the earth,
that neither age nor time can hardly decay them ?
And was this that impregnable castle, elevated
on a rock, and lifted up so high as to storm the
air, and supervise the bordering inhabitants that
dwell in the florid vale of Belvoir ? Was this
that great ornament that adorn'd the country,
that sleeps now in dust ?

Am. These are the relicks of that famous an-
tiquity, where art and industry discovered them-
selves inseparable companions. Let us approach
her beautiful ports, inrich'd with three parish
churches ; but one of them of late was torn in
pieces with martial treats. But to speak the
truth, it was by provocation : For the Pulpit,
you must know, vied with the Peerage for su-
periority ; and that made the souldiers commit
sacrilege, and undress this beautiful relick, that

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 279

lies now in silence, and hudled in ashes becomes
her own sepulchre. Now the cellerage in these
situations of Nottingham, are the most commo-
dious that I know in England; whose descents
you may trace twenty or thirty foot from the
surface of the soil. But there are other cellars
that almost court day, where they make their
malt, and lodg commodities either for a domes-
tick or foreign trade. For so great is the plenty
she draws from the breasts of the country, that
were she wanting in her self, they would want
themselves in wanting her. Another rarity it
behoves the reader to observe ; and that is, upon
examination her wells will be found as deep, if
not in some places deeper, than their cellars.
Yet amongst all her stately imbellishments, we
petrole as I remember but two fair streets ; the
rest are gates, allies, rows, lanes, marshes, &c.
But the prospect as we advance, presents to the
south, and the generous streams of silver Trent,
directing to the Leen-Bridg, facing the hollow
stone ; or rather, as I may term them, habitable
rocks, through which we ascend to consult those
splendid inhabitants, that live under a well-po-
lished government, and those other circumstan-
tials of civility and ingenuity.

Now this avenue of Fishergate, we leave on
our right hand ; and that on our left, is the
marshes, as we ascend to climb up the hollow

280 NORTHERN MEMOIRS,

stone, and mount the elevations of a large and
spacious street, called the High Pavement : but
Stony-Street and Pepper- Street, are all the
streets in Nottingham. The rest are either
lanes or gates: as Mary-Gate, Pilcher-Gate,
Fletcher-Gate, Well-Gate, Boyard-Lane, Swine-
Green, Saint-Jones's, and Hockly in the Hole,
&c. But the Week-day Shambles we leave on
our right hand; and on our left, those sandy
foundations that face the south : whose skirts
are moistned with the generous Leen, and there
live the tanners, tawyers, fell-mongers, parch-
ment and vellum-dressers, besides the glutiners,
that dwell in houses contiguous with the rocks ;
but the buildings are not underground, though
stooping so low as to level some part of the very
surface, refresh'd with fragrant aromas, sent from
the florid meadows of Trent. But this Terra
Nova, or Terra Incognita, they generally call it
the Narrow- Marsh.

Theoph. Whereabouts are we now ?

Am. Now we descend to the lower Paver
ment, by dividing the Town-Hall from the
Leaden Well, near unto which the Week-day
Cross is frequently crowded with country curi-
osities : but advancing forward in a direct line,
we encounter the fronteers of Castle-gate, and
leave the broad marsh, and Gray frier-gate on
our left hand. Towards the upper end of which

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 281

and not far from Hungate, stood the imbellish-
ments of Nicholas Church, associating with some
inconsiderable lanes, allies, and caves ; but in-
clining yet more westward, and nearer the Castle,
remains theBogholes, and the Brew-house-yard.
But I forgot to tell you, that in the very centre,
or division of the Pavement, there stands a Bow
(or a fair Port) opposite to Bridle-smith-Gate ;
adjoining to which, is Girdle-smith-Gate ; and
next unto that, is Peter-Gate, a derivative from
the church that fronts the west angle, and di-
rects into Hungate. But presupposing your
station at the north end of Bridle-smith-Gate ;
immediately then you face Hen-Cross, which in
a direct line leads on to Cow-lane-Bar ; but if
otherwise you incline to the left, then you leave
the Saturday Shambles, the Fruiterers and the
Cage on your right hand, and Peck-lane that
directs to Peter's Church, on your left ; but if
pointing your passage towards the western angle,
you then enter the Sands, and also the Sheep-
Market, which is commonly kept upon Timber-
hill.

Now advancing more westward, you enter the
Friers, but on the left hand of your entrance, is
Wheeler-gate; and on your right, is the Beast-
market that fronts the Long-How, into which,
and from the skirts of the Forest, there presents
a small avenue, some call it Sheep-Lane; oppo-

282 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

site to which is Saint John's-Lane, but that de-
scends in a direct line, either from the Castle,
or Boston-Bridg ; so that the ornament, gaity
and beauty, is the Long-Row. Beauty did I
say ? all the town is a beauty, if you consider
her stately buildings. Now as you pass through
the Long-Row, it directs to Bargate. On the
left hand of whose ruinous antiquities, and upon
a rising elevation of ground, the standard royal
was advanced by Charles the First, near to the
reliques and remains of that sumptuous castle,
not far from the obscurements of Mortimer's-
Hole. I must confess there needs no great noise
to trumpet the fame of this nonsuch Notting-
ham, whose plenty, if I mistake not, fills every
neighbouring county ; and whose generous
breasts recruit not only travellers and foreign-
ers, but send supplies to all the villages that
border about her ; whose granaries commode
the British continent ; and whose liberality ex-
tended to adjacent parts, interprets Nottingham
to be no town, but rather the inland mart and
store-house of Great Britain.

Theoph. But how will the reader descant up-
on all these eminent encomiums ?

Am. It matters not a rush how any man re-
sents it, since Nottingham of it self so well de-
serves it. For if with freedom I may declare
my own opinion, I must confess my fancy too

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 283

flatulent, my strain too torpid, my pen not ele-
gant, nor my stile polite enough to illustrate
the beauty of such stately inbellishments, the
admired subject of every man's praise ; which
more worthily deserves the applause of an inge-
nious historiographer, rather than the character
of so weak a surveyer. However, I have done
what I was able to do, and shall now leave the
scenes for some other to decipher, that's more
intelligible, and capable to perform such a work
than my self. Yet give me leave once again to
drive the nail a little further ; when to evince
the dissatisfied that Nottingham (as prenoted)
is no town, but rather a beautiful and imbel-
lish'd seraglio, where every street, nay, every
port, represents as it were the new face of a
court.

Theoph. Or a comet.

Arn. Then what if I call it our Northern Star,
to influence and reflection on the southern ele-
vations, and because being bless'dwith the bless-
ings of trade and fertility ; but could I say she
liv'd without the vanity of prodigality, then
would I stile her a vertue as well as a beauty ;
where art and invention have supplies and en-
couragement ; and where new fabricks are hour-
ly lifted up into the ambient air. So that a man
would think her to sprout and vegetate, by the
daily progress she makes in her buildings. So

284 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

that when you come to see her arbours and avi-
aries, so naturally dress'd up in the shades of the
Forest, and perfum'd with fragrancies from the
redolent meadows of Trent ; besides the pleasant
prospect it has into the cultivated fields in the
fruitful vale of Belvoir, then would you say
that Nottingham is the magazine for Cheshire
and Lancashire ; and the daily supply of those
mountainous parts in the Peak of Derby-shire.
These; are those ports, where the angler (and in-
genious) never yet entred without sober accom-
modation, let us therefore first consult the vir-
tuoso's of the rod ; afterwards sweeten our ears
with rhetorique from Apollo.

Theoph. As you have given us a fair and
large character of Nottingham, so have you been
as copious in your practical experiments of Ang-
ling, and brought to. test the undeniable asser-
tions of truth, not imaginary fragments, nor ro-
mantick fictions, stoln or suggested by plund-
ring plagiaries. Now every one knows that ig-
norance emulates art ; and impiety above all
things abominates devotion. Tradition also that
truckles under forms, and hypocrisy and flattery,
are time's apostates : But science and experience
are the confirmation of eye-sight ; and truth the
standard of divine speculation. By these we
proportion the measures of vertue, which is
found by him that treads the tracks of wisdom,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 285

and wades through the profound depths of pa-
tience : for as he that devotes himself to a soli-
tary life, lives a life most congruous to devotion ;
so he that devotes himself to piety, lives a life
analogous to contemplation.

For what signifies the court, but to remon-
strate the prince his magnificence ; and the pa-
lace, but to heighten his enjoyments ? On the
other hand, where humility is celebrated to
piety, there content dwells every where* in an
humble breast ; and humility and penitency,like
links concatinate, content themselves with the
garb of a cottage. Thus we may read the state
of the world : but that which I always approved
of as the best state, was to seek the blessings of
content in every condition. Then welcome
woods, rocks, rivers, groves, rivulets; nay it's
possible the very shades of a forest, in some mea-
sure answer to the comforts of life; and life an-
swers to the ends of the great Creator. Consider
therefore that the soul's great diadem is Christ ;
and Christ, by wisdom and sanctification every
Christian knows, is God. And who but God
created this stupendous creation ; and drest up
this imbelish'd fabrick of heaven and earth, when
he made the majesty of his invisibility visible,
and placed man in this sublunar orb, to conduct
and manage his fellow-creatures. But man im-
prudently transgressing, in not answering the

286 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

glorious ends of his divine creation, in obedience
to the commands of the sovereign decrees of
God, the Almighty discharged him the sove-
raignty of government ; so exil'd him from the
glorious sun-shine of Paradise. Of whom, if you
please, let us have an account. But I wonder
at one thing, to me it's a paradox.

Am. What's that?

Theoph. You writ your book in 58, and
spread the net to 85.

Am. What if I do ; I lived in the reign of
five kings, and in the time of four great wor-
thies.

Theoph. Was O. P. one?

Am. I leave that bone for you to pick. But
this I assert, that great English Hero was exem-
plary in piety, eminent in policy, prudent in
conduct, magnanimous in courage, indefatigable
in vigilancy, industriously laborious in watch-
ings, heroick in enterprize, constant in resolu-
tion, successful in war ; one that never wanted
a presence of mind in the greatest difficulties ;
all the world owns him for a great general, that
influenced all Europe, gave laws to all neigh-
bouring nations, and disciplined France with
English arms.

Theoph. These are great encomiums. Was
the Lord R. one ?

Am. That great man of worth and honour,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 287

was truly vertuous ; the patriot of his country,
and the glory of the court, beloved of the people,
and a lover of piety ; who left legacies of love to
the surviving natives, when he sealed his death
with noble English blood.

TJieoph. Was Col. A. S. one ?

Am. That great soul was too great for the
world, whose life in a manner was a continued
death, signified by those trophies of war he
carried about him. He died but to teach his
country-men the easy methods of honourable
dying, to the astonishment of mankind, and
foreign ambassadors.

Theoph. Was Alderman C. one ?

Am. That brave and worthy citizen, to his
eternal praise, sealed London's Magna Charta
with a Christian exit, and a voice from heaven.
Therefore put no more questions, for the asnigma
is explained, but begin where you left off, so let
us conclude.

Theoph. Then Pie only desire a description of
man.

ARNOLDUS HIS MEDITATION.

Arn. Adam as an angel in the shades of Pa-
radise, typified his Creator : then it was that this
mortal state seemed immortal; and man, be-
cause a signature of this admirable creation, was

288 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

made to live by that Life that made him ; for it
was the will of the Supreamest that made him,
to shine a ray of the majesty upon him, and ge-
nerate in him the glorious beauteous ray of Him-
self. But this was done when the Divine Ma-
jesty made man absolute lord, and commission-
ed him conduct over all the creatures. So that
Adam was now a Divine Substitute, because the
Divinity had divinely inspired him, and stamp'd
the impress of His royal signet upon him, the
lively emblem and character of Himself; where-
by to demonstrate in him a sovereign power
over all the families of creatures that God had
made, and by wisdom bless'd in this stupendous
creation. So that you may read, Adam was
made in the likeness of his Maker ; but he be-
got in his own likeness.

This was once the blessed state of Adam, and
a regenerate state (to be born again in spirit) is
the same with us now ; for primitive purity can
never be blotted out by national impiety. Nor
shall age, nor time, nor death it self vacate the
lustre and glory of Christianity : for as the do-
nation of purity is the royal act of him that's
pure, and lives for ever ; so the piety of Chris-
tianity shall out-live all ages, to the utmost li-
mit and period of time. Where note, the pri-
mitive times have liv'd till now ; and that that
begot time in the bosom of eternity, is Christ in

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 289

its the hope of glory. Why then do Christians
violate their faith ? Does it become us to en-
slave it by lust ? A proud faith is as great a
contradiction, as an humble devil. The glorious
hope we have of Paradise, incites and invites
believers to the duty of repentance ; and re-
pentance leads on to a humble submission, to
cruciate our selves and this temporal state, that
naturally resigns upon every assault of death ;
for all complicated elements melt into obscu-
rity.

Shall the clay rebel against the potter that
moulds it ? Shall man resist his maker that made
him ? Shall the vice of the times vote against
Heaven? and impiety provoke us to mutiny
against the Deity ? Must we learn no language
but oaths and imprecations ? and denounce no
dialect but the rhetorick of hell ? Can no bounds
be put to luxurious ambition ? nor any limit to
the impudent impostor ? who has not consider-
ed the body sometimes diseased, and how death
stands ready to blot out the character of life ?
so that if ill symptoms but happen to invade
us, the grave immediately stands gaping to de-
vour us. Nor can our limbs any sooner be touch-
ed with the cold and icie finger of death, but
our vital fires begin all to extinguish ; and the
glorious shining sparks of life look languid and
dim ; and so by degrees lose their sparkling lus*

T

290 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

tre. Then it is that the natural artifice of men
and means suddenly forsake us, and the secret
subtilties of our deceitful hearts basely and cow-
ardly renounce and desert us.

And then it is, that our truckling faith pros-
trates a false heart on the cold and frozen altar
of despair, which formerly was the common fac-
torage, and receptable of impure flames, where
we used to offer up adulterated sacrifices, with
impious adorations, as the Athenians did to un-
known gods, prophetically prognosticating our
merited destruction. So that now in a clod, or
lump of clay, the lustre of life is silently sealed
up, and secretly conveyed to the sepulchres of
death ; and because translated from the beaute-
ous creation, is made to cease from a natural
state, and embrace corruption, and the putrid
grave in eternal silence ; where we shall never
see light nor day any more, nor with sorrow
or reluetancy look back upon the anguish and
anxiety of those we formerly persecuted by un-
just sentences ; when as judges we sat and per-
verted judgment yet would seem to appear as
angels of light. But strip'd and stark naked the
world now inspects us, and all those graces that
naturally adorn'd us, discover themselves but
personal deformities. So that disease finds as
little difficulty to attempt us, as death to en-
counter and overcome us. For have not our

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 291

sensual guards all declin'd us, and the arguments
of sense and reason revolted from us ? Every
instrument and organ has reclaim'd its natural
function, whereby we perceive our selves desert-
ed by the active shining motions of life ; and
doom'd to death by the law of sin, we subscribe
to the fatal decrees of mortality.

O fatal flattering impiety, where's all those
specious pretences of purity that link'd and in-
tail'd our suborn'd inclinations to the gaudy
temptations of luxurious honour? What if every
man had the wealth of a monarch, and as great
as Alexander in empire and dominion ; and sup-
pose his domesticks as numerous as the world,
yet death would arrest him, and send him sum-
mons to appear before Heaven's high tribunal,
where he must answer for himself, and not an-
other for him ; whilst conscience, as a bold and
daring accuser, will accuse him for the deeds
done here in the body. So that as our work was
here upon earth, such also will be our reward in
Heaven. But how sad will it be, when to be-
hold the portals of the New Jerusalem firmly
bolted and barrocaded against us ; when to hear
the dreadful and irrevocable sentence of eternal
excommunication pass upon us, to be utterly se-
cluded society with the saints, and denied com-
munity with the blessed angels, that perpetual-
ly triumph with seraphick hallelujahs, as the se-

292 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

raphims and cherubims with heavenly ejacula-
tions, whilst we are made to grope in darkness
unutterable, and to lament there the impiety of
life ; and debar'd repentance after death, because
to reject it when proffred unto us : for in the
grave there's no contrition ; nor after judgment
is there any revocation.

This is a sad and deplorable sentence, beyond
the reach of sorrow to contemplate : for if but
to consider the janglings in hell, and the mur-
muring complaints of the damned in torments,
that belch out blasphemies to confirm their im-
pieties ; and by spiritual pride prophane the
beauty of holiness ; and would, if possible, cor-
rupt the creation, prostituting to idols, and the
ides of time ; and as much as in them lies, per-
vert and poison the sacred oracles of judgment
and justice. But what tongue can express the
glorious raptures, and beatifical visions the saints
enjoy, with the seraphick harmony of the bless-
ed hierarchy ; whilst penitents pass by the gates
of hell, to the heavenly triumphant joys of eter-
nity.

O, what love so convincing and stupendously
manifest, as a Saviour to die for unregenerate
sinners ! to affix himself to the cross of death,
to fasten our souls to eternal life ! to load his
body with the burden of sin, to purchase for
sinners the seal of redemption ! This is that great

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 293

and sublime elixir, that transmutes our nature
into divinity, time into eternity, and our souls
into himself; from which supereminent hea-
venly state, there's no relaxation, but an intire
unity and community with God, for ever and
ever to all eternity. For as light is inseparable
from it self, nor can darkness co-mingle or in-
corporate with it ; such is the soul that is truly
sanctified and sprinkled with the blood of this
miracle of mercy, that never for the future can
be separated from its Saviour : but as sin hates
the light, because the light discovers its dark-
ness ; so light, because it's the standard of truth,
not only discovers but dissipates the darkness.
The Lamb of God is the light of the world, that
for ever shines, and for ever frees the penitent
soul from the shades of darkness. How great,
therefore, must that Light be, that enlightneth
the world, and every man that cometh into the
world ?

Now the true state of felicity is only att^in-
able by faith in Christ ; and faith directs to the
portals of humility ; humility to piety ; and pie-
ty leads on to the duties of charity, by a reli-
gious resignation of our inglorious will, to the
glory of his will that bore our burden of sin on
the Cross. Here let us sigh down, if possible,
the sins of the age, as Christ by the virtue of his
pure divinity depress'd those mountains of sin

294 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

in the world : then in obedience to this great
example, let us cruciate our selves, the better to
enable us to triumph over death : for to conquer
self, forceth the devil to recoil ; and to render
the vanities of this world contemptible, is to
lead hell and captivity captive ; which none but
Christ can do, and has done : yet ought we to
imitate our Leader, as true volunteers of the
Cross, if we hope to imbrace the royal sanctions
of him that bore his cross in a bloody shower,
for the redemption of mankind. This I recom-
mend to the Christian reader that follows the
Lamb the Captain of our salvation.

Theoph. By this most excellent description of
man, he labours, I perceive, under great anxie-
ty, till Christ affix him by his sovereign ray of
light, whereby to illuminate and sublime his
immortal soul into the everlasting arms of him-
self, the glorious Being of his all-glorious Fa-
ther, where time shall be no more : for time is
but the child of eternity, as is generation the
child of time. Generation, therefore, devolves
in time, and time results in the arms of eternity.
But eternity is the beam of the majesty of God,
whose divine centre is love essential ; and love
is an attribute so divinely connected to the infi-
nite wisdom and goodness of him that never
had beginning, by whom all things were begot
in time, whereby he made his invisibility visible,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 295

which he eminently did when he manifested his
glorious inside, by the excellency and beauty of
the external outside of this stupendous and most
admirable creation.

Am. You have sum'd it up right, and said
nothing but truth ; the truth is the Alpha and
Omega ; the beginning of all beings, and the
end of all times ; the infinite invisibility made
visible ; the immaculate humanity clothed with
divinity ; the glory, beauty, and wisdom of the
Father ; the beatifical vision ; the light of the
world that now is, ever was, and for ever and
ever will remain so to be, when death and time
shall be no more. And now give me leave to
recommend unto you (most worthy your obser-
vation) these general rules for fish and fishing,
with directions also for baits and seasons.

Theoph. Be you my tutor, and He be your
pupil.

THE SALMON.

Am. As the salmon is a monarch and king
in the freshes, so he is the ultimate result of the
angler's conquest. This royal game (all the sum-
mer-time) has his residence in the rapid and for-
cible streams in rivers ; but the sea is his sanc-
tuary most months in the winter : So that a
man may rationally conclude, without a paren-

296 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

thesis, that he is always to be found, though not
always in season. Besides, the salmon is inci-
dent, as other fish are, to various accidents ;
more especially if we consider the female fish,
who in the spring (as other females do) drops
her eggs (but some call it spawn) which makes
her infirm : and if it so happen that she lags
behind her natural mate in the fall of the leaf,
she is then prohibited the benefit of salt-water
to bathe her fins, and carry off her slimy impu-
rities, which is the natural cause of her kipper-
ish infirmity, that alters her delicate proportion
of body, and blots out the beautiful vermilian
stain and sanguin tincture of blood, which vi-
vidly and transparently shines through her ru-
bified gills ; so that now she begins to look lan-
guid and pale, her fins they fag, and her scales
by degrees lose their natural shining brightness ;
as also her regular and well-compos'd fabrick of
body, looks thin, lean, and discoloured : and her
head that grows big and disproportionable, as if
distemper'd and invaded with the rickets ; over
whose chaps hangs a callous substance, not much
unlike to a falcon's beak, which plainly denotes
her out of season, and as plainly as any thing
demonstrates her kippar.

Now I come to nominate some eminent ri-
vers in England, that accommodate the angler
with the race of salmon. First, therefore, I

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 297

fer the river Trent, because of her rapid and
oriental streams, that never sully themselves,
till arriving near to the shores of Gainsborough,
where Trent oft washeth her banks with the
Eagre, so glides immediately into the arms of
Humber. Next unto Trent, we present you
with the translucid glittering streams of Severn,
that not far from Bristol mingle themselves with
the ocean. Nor shall we omit those torpid and
melancholy streams of Owse, that gulph them-
selves into Trent-fall. But of all rivers that
glide through the cultivated fields in England,
the bountiful, beautiful, and most illustrious
Thames has the soveraignty of the rest ; be-
cause her streams influence not England only,
but all the banks and shores in Europe ; and is
without precedent, because of the excellency
and delicacy of her fish, more especially below
Bridg ; where the merchants turn anglers, and
throw their lines as far as both Indies, Peru, the
Ganges, Mozembique, Barbary, Smirna, Alex-
andria, Aleppo, Scandaroon, and all the wealthy
ports in the universe. These are the fish that
feast the nation ; otherwise England would be
unlike it self, if unhappily wanting such provi-
dent anglers.

But Scotland has already received a character
of most of her eminent rivers and rivulets, that
wash and moisten her sandy shores ; nor have I

298 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

nominated more than four metropolitan rivers
in England, that bathe her fertil and florid banks ;
because having a mind to step into Wales, or
the suburbs of it, to discover there a singular
curiosity, which probably may puzzle the opi-
nion of artists and others. Now one of these ri-
vers is called Wye, but the other is known by
the name of Usk ; both which rivers, as I am
told, incorporate themselves on the southside of
Monmouth. But the reason why I mention
these two eminent rivers, is only in regard of
their various entertainments, by reason the sal-
mon there are always in season ; for the one
supplies the defects of the other. As thus for
example ; if when to consider Wye flourisheth
with salmon, Usk, as if no river, is rarely dis-
cours'd of. On the contrary, when as Usk sends
her supplies to the bordering inhabitants, then
is Wye as little as any thing thought of. By
this contrariety and diversity of nature, the na-
tives may conclude that winter and summer
give not only the season to salmon, but rather
that they have laws from the streams they glide
in ; or Wales differs from all the world.

The next thing that falls under the angler's
consideration, is the bait or charm for the royal
race of salmon ; which I reduce under the classis
of two generals, viz. the fly for frolick, to flou-
rish and sport on the surface of the streams ; and

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 299

the ground-bait for diversion, when designing
to drag at the bottom. But what if I direct you
a central way, that in my opinion, upon appro-
ved practice will intice him ashore in mid- water.
Now if the angler design that for his exercise,
(in such case) let him make provision of fair and
large minews, small gudgeons, or a diminutive
dace, (with the artificial use of the swivel to flou-
rish his bait) the brightness or gloominess of the
day considered : But if the ground-bait be in-
tended, which always succeeds best in discoloured
waters ; then in such case, prepare for him a well-
scoured lob- worm, or knotted dew-worm, drag'd
forth of the forest, or any other sterril or barren
soil, which as soon as any thing (with dextrous
management) will compel him ashore though it
cost him his life. I write from experience, for I
am not unacquainted with the multiform varie-
ty of terrene animals ; as you may read more at
large in my following appendix : more especial-
ly of those worms that are taken and drag'd
forth out of a hard and skirrous earth, which
ought to be well depurated (or scoured) two or
three days in the finest, cleanest and sweetest
moss that fastens it self to the root of the ash-
tree ; sprinkling it first with new and sweet ale ;
afterwards remember to squeeze it forth, so ope-
rate like an artist : but that which is better, and
more concordant to my approbation, is fleeted

300 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

cream, from the benevolence of the dairy ; which
to admiration, makes your worm become viscous
and tough ; and that which yet is more to be ad-
mired, they also become bright, and almost trans-
parent : for that end I counsel and advise the
angler, when designing to approach the deeps
for diversion, that he take some always with him
to heighten his exercise, or influence and ina-
mour his game. It is not so difficult to put
some in a box made of wood called lignum mice,
perforated with holes, besmearing or anointing
it over first with the chymical oil of bays, sul-
phur, Barbadoes tar, ivy, cornu-cervi ; or indeed
almost any other oil that has but a strong and
foetid empyruma, will serve well enough, where
the oil of oesprey is generally wanting.

With these requisite circumstantials we ap-
proach the deeps, and the strongest descents and
falls in the stiffest streams ; the like we do in ed-
dies, and turns in back-waters ; for the salmon
you must know loves a solitary shade. Arm
well be sure, and fish as fine as you can, (Isaac
Owldam used to fish with but three hairs at
hook) and forget not the swivel, as above pre-
cautioned ; and the running line be sure you re-
member. Stand close I advise you, and keep
your distance, especially when approaching the
rapid fords, because there, for the most part, the
streams run clear, and you with design come on

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 301

purpose to destroy him ; as it's probable you
may, provided your art, skill and ingenuity do
but serve to manage so eminent an encounter.
Now give me leave but to step from the water-
side to numerate and describe the various brood
of salmon ; so to distinguish them according to
mode, or as some will have it, the custom of the
country. Where note, in the south they call him
samlet ; but if you step to the west, he is better
known there by the name of skeggar ; when in
the east they avow him penk ; but to the north-
ward, brood and locltsper, so from thence to a
tecon ; then to a salmon.

Now to recreate with the fly, (meaning the ar-
tificial) that's another sort of exercise for the an-
gler's diversion ; which ought to be considered,
and diversly consulted, in regard of so great va-
riety of form, lustre, beauty and proportion. For
that end let me advise you, that the ground of
your fly be for the most part obscure, of a gloomy,
dark and dusky complexion ; fashioned with
tofts of bears-hair, blackish or brownish diseo-
lour'd wool, interwoven sometimes with pea-
cocks feathers, at otherwhiles lap'd about with
grey, red, yellow, green, or blewish silk, simple
colours, or colours sometimes intermingled. For
instance, black and yellow represent the wasp or
hornet ; and a promiscuous brown the flesh fly ;
so of the rest. For that end consult the humour

3021 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

of the fish, who to humour your exercise puts
himself out of humour, chiefly and principally
when he parts with his life. These requisite pre-
cautions ought to be the study of every studious
and ingenious angler, together with the know-
ledg of time and season, when to resort to the
river for recreation. The next thing necessary
is the shape of your rod, which ought in all re-
spects to represent the rush in its growth ; for
that end we call it rush-grown : and be sure it
be streight and plient. Your line also that must
be accurate and exactly taper'd ; your hook well
compassed, well pointed, and well barbed : and
be mindful that your shank exceed not in length ;
I mean not so long as when you drag with the
ground -bait. Nor is it proper for the artist to
court a stream, except he be always provided of
his dubbing bag, wherein are contained all sorts
of thrums, threads, silks, moccado-ends, silver
and gold twist ; which are of excellent use to
adorn your fly, and in a great measure quicken
the sight of your game ; provided the day be
promiscuous and dark, occasioned by smooty
and discoloured clouds.

Now should I enumerate the multiform va-
riety of animals, the various colours and pro-
portion of insects, with the diversity of flies, it
would but redouble my labour and trouble;
since already I have discoursed them in another

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 303

place ; where the artist also, if he be ingenious,
may consult and examine the methods of expe-
riments, so make himself master of this solitary
mystery; otherwise let him remain silent among
proficients, and a profest ignoramus among prac-
titioners. And among the variety of your fly-
adventurers, remember the hackle, or the fly-
substitute, form'd without wings, and drest up
with the feather of a capon, pheasant, partridg,
moccaw, phlimingo, paraketa, or the like, and
the body nothing differing in shape from the
fly, save only in ruffness and indigency of wings.
Another necessary observation, is the wing of
your fly, which ought to proceed from the teal,
heron, malard, or faulcon. The pinion and wing
thereof ought to lie close, and so snug as to car-
ry the point exactly downward. But the last
thing material is, the moderate stroak, which
always proves mortal, and best succeeds if used
without violence; the line also, keep that streight
as occasion requires, so that nothing be remiss,
nor any thing wanting ; and the necessity of the
wheel be sure you remember.

The salmon loves those rapid rivers, where

The craggy rocks above the streams appear.

In deepest waters, and in strongest streams

He lives ; yet like a martyr sometimes dies in flames.

304 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

THE TROUT.

I have already told you that the salmon is
king in the freshes : And now I must tell you
that the princely trout has his residence and
principality in the same fluctuating element,
partaking very much of the nature of salmon,
admiring stiff and rapid streams in the vernon
ingress ; but he accosts the solitary deeps most
months in the winter. In the spring, you shall
observe this active animal scud to the fords,
where he flutters his fins at every silly fly ; for
that's his rendezvouz, and there you'l find him,
picking and gliding against stones in the bot-
tom, to scour off, if possible, the slimy substance
and scurf from his sickly sides, frequently occa-
sioned through want of motion. So that when
the sun vegetates and invigorates the creation,
then is he invigorated with motion and activity,
which argues a very great and unpardonable ab-
surdity in the ignorant and incredulous angler,
to fancy that peregrination debilitates and weak-
ens him, when apparently it adds an additional
strength, not well considering they were only
told so ; or peradventure they had read it in
some printed book, concluding from thence an
infallibility in the press.

But as I intend not to burden you with cir-

8

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 305

cuinlocutions, for brevity sake, I shall range the
trout under the consideration of the first classis
offish. For that end, I must signalize his viva-
city and vigour, his activity and courage, how
naturally they spring from the nature of this
fish, till age or accident indispose and deprive
him, not only of activity, but of natural ability ;
who struggles with himself to out- do motion,
and out-live, if possible, the law of his life. So
that to prohibite him travel, you totally destroy
him ; since he is a fish that can't live under
confinement. And thus it happens to the race
of salmon, for nature's laws are alike to both.
In the summer's solstice he accosts the fords,
making inspection and inquisition after the va-
riety of emmits and insects, hovering his fins in
every murmuring purling stream in rivers and
rivulets, which not only puts a spur to the an-
gler's exercise, but his expectation also : and this,
if any thing, is the angler's Elizium, which I
shall not insist upon here, because having in-
larged upon it sufficiently already. In this place
I shall only treat of the ground -bait, which
most commonly is a knotted or budled dew-
worm ; much of the nature and kind of the
former, but not usually so large as that we pro-
cure for the salmon.

Now as every angler concludes the trout a
delicate fish for diversion, so others, as artists,

u

306 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

consult him a delicious entertainment. But the
trout to entertain himself, as eagerly sucks in
a well-scour'd red-worm, as the wide-mouth'd
Humber swallows up a full spring-tide. For
that end, grudg him not what he loves, and give
him time to digest it. Your business is only to
stand sentinel, and to keep a vigilant eye and a
diligent hand over him ; for patience is not only
an exercise but an excellency in anglers, provi-
ded they fall not asleep at their exercise ; espe-
cially when angling or troling with the ground-
bait, which upon probate proves most profitable
after gluts of rain and discoloured waters. Nor
is this ground-bait otherwise than a worm, va-
riously discours'd by me at several limes, and
in sundry places. For that end (to avoid repe-
titions) where the worm fails of success, make
trial of the minew, in sharps or scours, by drag-
ging at the bottom, or in mid- water ; which if
dextrously performed (with the swivel) by the
hand of an artist, he shall seldom or rarely fail
of success.

But for the fly-fishing, if that be the artist's
intention, let me soberly advise him to solicite
moderate winds, rather than intemperate and
violent gusts. Rally my reasons, and sum them
up ; you will find them more copious in my
former conference, where at large I discourse
and decipher both the shape, colour, and the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 307

proportion of flies ; for I hate tautologies, be-
cause hateful in themselves ; and there's nothing
more troublesom to an ingenious artist, than to
be glutted by telling a story twice. The trout,
therefore, judicially considered, his mouth is not
by much so large as the salmon's, nor requires
he so copious nor so large a hook, nor need his
tackle be so robust and strong. But for the rod
and line, take care, that they in all respects be
exactly tapered. And to hit the mark as near
as may be, let care be taken that the line in
every part be equally stretch'd, and the steel of
your hook of an even temper ; nor matters it
how light you are arm'd at the hook ; so that
on the surface, when you flourish your fly, be
sure that you gain the head of the stream ; and
if possible, the wind, to facilitate your cast. But
if the ground-bait be your exercise, then let the
length of your line seldom or rarely exceed the
rule of your rod : whilst the fly- diversion grants
a larger charter, distance and dimension also
come under the consideration of every artist that
is mindful to measure exact proportion, by con-
cealing himself from the streams he sports in.
So that if at any time the fly fails of success, as
frequently it has happened to my self and others,
let the angler then have recourse to the ash-
tree-grub, the palmer-worm, caterpillar, green
or gray drak, the depinged grasshopper, or that

308 NORTHERN MEMOIRS-

truculent insect, the green munket of the owl-
der-tree. But if none of these baits presented,
succeed to profit, and the water, as we appre-
hend, to remain discoloured, let him then assault
the trout at the bottom, with that mortal allure-
ment which I call the gild-tale ; for that of all
worms allures him ashore.

The generous trout to make the angler sport,
In deep and rapid streams will oft resort.
Where if you flourish but a fly, from thence
You hail a captive, but of fish the prince.

THE PIKE.

The pike is a voracious ravenous fish, that fre-
quents the waters, and lives always upon spoil :
for moss-trooper like, he murders all he meets
with. And as it is impossible to find him with-
out an appetite, so is it as improbable to proffer
him any thing that he'l refuse. One would think
him a graduate by his various appellations, as
that of jack, pickerel, pike, and lucit, which
makes him look big and swell with titles, as
Westminster-hall look'd blough with Dunbar
trophies. Now the angler that consults this for-
midable desperado, must search him in the
spring by examining the ditches, narrow grips
and gullies, where probably he may find him

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 309

poaching after mice ; and in the avenues in
marshes hunting after frogs, with which he
trucks his life for a trifle. But the yellow frog,
of all frogs, brings him to hand, for that's his
dainty and select diet, wherein nature has placed
such magical charms, that all his powers can
never resist them, if fastned on the hook wTith
that exactness, that his life may shine, and the
bait seem undeprived of natural motion ; which
if dextrously performed, the angler will be con-
vinced, that a ledger of all baits is the most tru-
culent destructive morsel in the world.

But March expiring, and April on the ascend-
ent, his eye-sight clears up, and his appetite too,
for a brighter bait ; and then a small roach, or a
bream will down ; so will a bleak, and a small
young dace, or, for variety, the head of an eel.
But if a junior perch be strip'd of his fins, or a
fresh plump gudgeon neatly link'd to the arm-
ing be but laid before him, he shall never refuse
it, when so greedy of a worm that he'l hazard
his life for it. But then I prescribe it no ap-
proved bait, rather a fortunate accident in my
successful adventures. But his winter-quarters
are the sullen deeps, where he burdens himself
with clouds of water, as aged people do that
heap on apparel ; when in the spring he is all
gaity, and like the prodigal, scorns that his life
.should out-live his patrimony. But the sum-

310 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

mer approaching, we then consider him more
circumspect, more cunning, more cautious, and
under better guards ; for then in a deep you
may search him, and probably find him ; but
then you must have it at the tail of a ford :
when in autumn you shall find him lap himself
in can docks, at other times in bullrushes ; and
wherever the fry is, there is he, if not in the midst,
yet he's never far from them. I have known this
fish deluded with a trout ; a trout did I say ?
there's no fish that swims in the freshes is such
an alluring temptation ; nor can the pike any
more resist this charm, than he can resist his
natural disposition after diet. The consequence
proves true upon the angler's examination ; for
the pike has strong inclinations after any thing
that swims ; who as seldom as any fish wants an
appetite, and by his good will would always be
eating.

After this manner we discourse the pike ; who
dwells almost every where, except in the ocean,
or in the brackish waters ; but in the lough,
you shall find him there o're-grown, sometimes
to an amazing bigness ; when in the river, and
translucid streams in rivulets, his taste is from
thence transchanged to a more excellent sweet-
ness, and upon proof will be found much more
nutricious. But his way of germinating is the
same with the salmon, to answer the ends of

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 311

procreation, as for the most part all barrel'd fish
do, who rises early in the infancy of the year,
and admires all changes that the season pre-
sents.

The pike, or lucit, is a mercenary ;
Or anglers seem among themselves to vary.
He loves no streams, but hugs the silent deeps :
And eats all hours, and yet no house he keeps.

THE CARP.

The carp is a fish complicated of a moross
mixture, and a torpid motion, one that loves to
live in melancholy calms, rather than to ram-
ble in the rapid rivers and translucid streams.
Ponds and pools are generally his palaces, where
he loves good eating, but seldom or rarely tra-
vels far to fetch it ; who as seldom as any fish
exceeds the compass of his colony, nor ever at
tains to that maturity of largeness, where there's
rapid rivers, and swift gliding streams, as he
does in the lake or solitary lough. The antients
were of opinion, and so am I, that travel ex-
tenuates and lessens growth ; and that in the
rivers and spacious rivulets, every master fish
pleads a right of possession ; whereby acts of
hostility are hourly commenced, with the loss
of life to the weaker sort, at least of his habita-

312 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

tion, when a stronger than himself claims a right
of possession ; for when to consider the anti-
pathy in fish, as the secret animosity that lurks
under the flesh, it's no wonder that the great
ones eat up the little ones. And this our daily
experience, as a monitor, discovers unto us, the
antipathy and animosity fish have in the ocean ;
for antipathy will be antipathy as certainly as
sympathy is sympathy, notwithstanding the na-
ture of climat, constitution or element.

Since, therefore, we have signified the resi-
dence of the carp, it's but requisite to proceed
to tell you what he loves ; and that is soon done,
if you cast but your eye on the blooming hau-
thorn ; for then your carp-angling begins to
commence, which terminates in August, as the
vulgar would have it : but this rule admits of
too many exceptions ; for all the summer- sea-
son, more especially in a dropping and moist
air, he bites without dispute, if he likes his com-
mons, and you but cautious enough to conceal
your self, who as rarely as any fish quarrels with
the fineness or coarseness of your tackle ; which
deserves a serious consideration, in as much as
neatness and fineness are requisite and necessary
accomplishments in any thing of art, more es-
pecially that of angling : and the bait to sur-
prize him is less difficult than any thing, be-
cause by every angler so generally understood ;

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 313

which will shorten my discourse, and invite me
to a conclusion. But before I close, let me tell
you what he loves ; and that's the unctuosity of
the purplish dew- worm, provided you depurate
him from all impurities, to remonstrate his beau-
ty and lustre of life. Examine him but with
this bait to free me from suspicion, and remove
the censure of clamorous anglers, that oft-times
repine at their own undertakings ; but that I
cannot help, they may use the lob-worm if they
please, which if they rightly order, will (I'le as-
sure them) turn to good account, more especial-
ly if perfumed with the oil of annis.

But my observation leads me to another cu-
riosity, and that is paste. But of pastes (let me
tell you) there are as many sorts among anglers,
as there are saints-days in the Pope's kalendar :
but this hinders not but that pastes may be ef-
fectual, more especially when commix'd and
compounded with fine bean-flower, English-ho-
ney, and poudred sugar, amalgamized or min-
gled with the yolk of an egg ; and if the fat of
an heron be supperadded to it, it makes it not
the worse ; but the marrow of a heron makes it
much more the better. Besides, sometimes he
loves a taste of the dairy -maid ; as at other times
he affects the smell of the shambles, because a
great admirer of clotted blood, or almost any
thing when he is in humour.

314 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Now as operation in artifice is the corona of
art, so demonstration in science is the ultimate
end of experience. I forfeit neither my reason
nor opinion in this assertion : nor do I in my
arguments undermine those artists that practi-
cally and experimentally understand the right
use of the worm, though some with honey and
other dulcids have sweetly allured him, and
some others with tar (supposing him a tarpolin)
have summoned him ashore ; yet I declare upon
practice, that if the worm do not pleasure him,
the angler may mingle despairs with his sports.
But then let him consider the complement of
licorish, or the homogeniety of the oil of annis,
cummin, or assafetida, to furnish it with a hogoe,
which, in my opinion, surpasseth the camerial
oil of oespres : yet not that I altogether doubt
the truth of so famous a secret, celebrated by
the antients, but rather the rarity of so admira-
ble a discovery ; such another some fancy is that
of the Phenix.

The carp's no courtier, nor a country guest,
Yet answers both, all after as he's drest.
He loves the silent deeps, in ponds and pools ;
A dish for states-men, or a mess for fools.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 315

THE PERCH.

The perch is a well-disciplined martial fish,
of much more mettle, gallantry, and courage,
than the carp, though not almost, but altoge-
ther, of as slow a motion ; and though as free
from the taint of controversy, as the wax is free
to submit to the impression of the seal, yet he
never enters the list but he always arms him-
self. It's true, he's a volunteer that lives above
fear, nor dreads he that any thing of art can in-
vade him ; nay, though he see himself surround-
ed with danger and difficulties, and immured
with rocks and ruinous decays, yet he will shew
himself as prodigal of his stock of life, as any
fish living that floats in water. It is true, I must
confess, that he is a great admirer of smooth ri-
vers, but the rapid streams in rivulets he seldom
or never frequents, notwithstanding him so bold
and daring a fish : nor is he of any great activi-
ty in the solitary lough ; and would to his li-
king use as little exercise in the river, did not
the streams sometimes invade him, which makes
him more active than otherwise he would be, be-
cause of self-preservation. Which still strength-
ens my opinion of preferring the river-fish in
excellency to exceed those in the pond : though
peradventure travel mitigates growth, (as we

316 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

formerly discours'd,) yet it most generously com-
pensates the gusto ; for every fish that comes
cautiously by his commons, is by so much the
more confirmed delicious, and, if I mistake not,
as nutricious also.

Now would not any man think those concep-
tions very sordid, to prefer the goose to the
gossander, and vie the hog with the hind ? It's
true, some hug and imbrace the vision of re-
mote novelties, because to fancy that distance
and difficulty make things rare ; so it may well
enough, for it makes them dear. And what
would it signify to a rural palat, was that palat
by foreign curiosities daily imposed upon ? Be-
sides, it's treason in the abstract, against the law
of bounty, for any man to imagine partiality
in nature, since every thing is destinated by an
immutable decree, to answer the primary ends
ordained. The great Work-master needs no con-
tribution from the mine to enable him to infuse
virtue into the creation ; nor needs he to bor-
row any thing from the creature, since the crea-
ture is only the marginal note of the universe ;
the creation it self being the stupendous volume.
But as every thing naturally adheres to its own
like, and semblances partake of their own pro-
perties, stars then were not made meerly to gaze
at, nor elements but as vort rices for corporeal re-
ception ; otherwise how could birds divide their

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 317

ambient air, or fish force a passage through the
fluctuating ocean, where sometimes the treach-
erous net betrays them ? yet so resolv'd are they
with contempt to cruelty, that they scorn to
petition a reprieve for life, but rather submit
themselves to be tortur'd to death, by the tor-
menting hand of the scarifying cook, that dis-
penseth with art to elevate the appetite, if when
only to make it pleasant to a generous accepta-
tion.

But to look for the perch, you need not go
far to seek him that is to be found almost any
where, if you please but to step to the suburbs
of the streams of Trent, or the solitary deeps
near the rapid streams in most rivers and rivu-
lets in the circle of England ; if examined at
the bottom, for you may search and find him
under hollow banks, eddies, pools, miln-pits,
turns of streams, 'at the tales of sluces, flood-
gates, and back-waters, near to the stumps of
trees, wier-heads, stanks, candocks, and bull-
rushes ; but if there be any ruinous decays, there
you will certainly find him that is to be found :
Indeed one would think him a piece of an an-
tiquary, because he loves to be rifling among
ruins. Now presupposing you have found him,
what is next to be done ? that ought to be con-
sidered, in regard it's the angler's care and study
to accommodate him like an artist, with what

318 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

he loves. But you will ask me what that is ? and
I readily answer, and tell you, not with coarse
tackle, nor a slovenly bait : for though the carp
is not squeemish, nor the perch shame- faced, yet
he hates rudeness, coarse tackle, and slovenly com-
mons ; greatly admiring dew- worms if well de-
purated, cankers, caterpillars, cod-worms, grubs,
brandlins, minews, and the junior fry of small
fish ; these novelties affect him to a change of
element, who lays down his life for what he loves.
But the charm of all baits that invites him ashore
(as fancy is seldom unfurnished with invention)
is that truculent mortal the gild-tail, which soon-
er than any thing sends him a summons of death ;
for which at any time he shall give you his life,
and that is as much as the world has to part with,
nor hath he any more than himself to give.

Now let the angler that would fish for perch,
The turns in rivers, and back-waters search.
In deepest lakes the largest perch you'l find :
And where the perch is, kind will answer kind.

BREAM.

The bream, though we grant him a flegma-
tick fish, and a fish as naturally as any fish ad-
dicted to ease and idleness, yet he enjoys him-
self as much in limpid streams as other fish do

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 319

that seek sanctuary in solitary lakes. And as
he hates rambling far from home, so he abhors
correspondency with those that do ; contenting
himself with torpid streams, and hugs his fancy
in solitary deeps. Trent, I have observed, for
the race of bream, may challenge all England,
nay, all Europe, for ought I know, more espe-
cially near those streams that wet the ports of
Gainsborough ; where sometimes he washeth his
fins with the Eagre, and arrives there to that
amazing bigness, that I blush to report it, lest
the reader should suspect me. Indeed the bream
is an excellent companion, if you can but get
him into humour to bite, which may easily be
done, if you do but treat him with the compost
of paste ; for that will insinuate him into the
pie, where his bones will absorp, and his flesh
amalgamize with fresh sweet butter ; which be-
ing dissolved, will entertain you with a nutri-
cious liquor, that for phlegmatick humours is
both physick and diet.

I never knew any angler (except it was one)
that singly devoted himself a whole day's diver-
sion, in order to court and entertain this fish ;
nor do I remember him inroll'd in the angler's
catalogue, among the first classis of dignified
fish. For that end, therefore, as I intend bre-
vity in his description, so give me leave to shew

320 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

you the readiest way how to surprize and take
him. But then you must consider him no con-
stant companion for all constitution of rivers
and rivulets, though our southern streams fre-
quently enjoy him, except otherwise they prove
too rapid and forcible ; for if so, then he takes
up his residence in calmer streams, that enamour
him with bull-rushes, at other whiles with can-
docks : whose recreation is little more than the
limits of his confinement ; from whence he sel-
dom extravagants himself, until compell'd from
thence by the mediums of art, as at other times
by inundation, or deluges of water, that send
him sometimes a gaol-delivery.

But the variety of baits to allure this fish be-
ing so numerous and various, I shall confine my
self only to a few ; which upon examination
will be found effectual. Compound, therefore,
a paste as formerly described, of honey, inter-
mingled with a little brandy, bean-flower, and
the yolk of an egg, which you may, if you please,
tinge with gambogium, vermilion, &c. This
bait sometimes, as soon as any thing, entices him
ashore. But in regard he is a fish inconstant as
to diet, some, therefore, feed him with gentles,
and not without good success ; some others with
grubs, and othersome with caterpillars ; but bet-
ter is that of cod-worms ; and sometimes any

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 321

thing will do, if he be in humour. But then
you are to consider he loves early rising, and is
ready for breakfast by break of day : so that if
his commons affect him, and you so fortunately
happy to meet with a cloudy gloomy morning,
you may engage him for ought I know, to keep
you company till the solitudes of night ; which
a well-scoured red worm will sometimes do, and
so will cheese, for he loves the dairy : but all
the world cannot make him fly-proof; yet a
brandlin makes his teeth water. But the gild-
tail, as above, is such an invincible charm, that
all his powers cannot withstand it ; but he will
come ashore in despight of death.

Now if the angler fish in Thames for bream,
Or famous Trent ; ne're let him search a stream :
Deeps most allure him, so do eddies too ;
For near to banks and stanks he lies purdue.

TENCH.

The tench of all the families of fish is both
physick and physician ; of a balsamick, nutri-
cious, and medicinal nature, that fortunately
cures when others kill ; and distributes more
good than hurt in his colony. It's true, he is
sought for by every angler, though obtained by
few ; and the diseased fish that finds him, finds

x

NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

a cure, and that's a reward answerable to dili-
gence. Now as every stream courts this phy-
sical fish, yet but few rivers in the nation enjoy
him, who for the most part inhabits the pool ;
yet are not the rivers denied him for a publick
good. I cannot deny that he loves deep waters,
more especially those that are of a torpid and
slow motion ; such upon examination he great-
ly admires : nor shall any man overrule him,
nor at any time perswade him to be out of con-
ceit with flags and bull-rushes. I have already
told you that he is medicine and physician ; and
now let me tell you he's a delicious morsel.

That angler that knows any thing of Ang-
ling, must of necessity know that the tench of
all fish is no fish of prey, and one that lives
upon as little food as any fish that wags a fin ;
but then he must have it choice and delicate,
wholsom and juicy ; and truly he well deserves
it, since so little serves his turn. Search well,
therefore, in the solitary deeps, and there as soon
as in any place you'l find him, as if by nature
destinated to a cynical life, which the ignorant
impute to a want of exercise ; not well consi-
dering it's no part of his business to ramble in
the rivers, to expose himself to ruin : which
makes me fancy that but a few junior Piscatori-
ans have thorowly consulted this ^Esculapian,
who beyond dispute is of a balsamick nature ;

NORTHERN7 MEMOIRS. 323

whose slimy sides administer relief, if when but
to glance upon his fellowr-creature. So that I
think it worthy my management and under-
taking to draw forth some directions how the
angler may surprize him with our innocent ar-
tillery of hook and line ; which will be enough,
as I conceive, to convince him, if in season he
please but to make a trial.

In the south of England, where the fields are
fertil, (so in the north, though more unculti-
vated,) this piece of curiosity is frequently dis-
cours'd among anglers, meaning such as out of
a fancy, or foreign curiosity, have undertaken
to feed him with tar and rye-bread, supposing
him a tarpollin ; and not without success, whilst
some others have diverted him with various
pasts, using 'em as an argument to make him
pie-proof. Then again some have fed him with
English honey, the yolks of eggs, and the oil
of annis, commassated and mingled with fine
bean-flower ; this bait is better approved of than
rudely to choak him with toasted cheese. I own,
I must confess, there be many ways to feed him,
though, to my certain knowledg, (except in the
pond,) there are but few places to find him in.
He therefore that solicites a sight of this physi-
cal fish, and impatiently longs to hear him rum-
ble in the panier, let him follow my advice, with

324 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

well-scour'd dew- worms, kept very sweet in
cleanly moss ; and if that prove ineffectual to
answer his design, then let him provoke him
with the flag or dock-worm, which will certain-
ly answer the angler's intention ; otherwise let
him blame both me and my directions.

The tench best loves those torpid waters, where
The deeps are shaded well with reeds ; and there
The wounded fish that could not long endure
The smart and pain, finds him, so finds a cure.

BARBLE.

The barbie, though experienced a resolute
fish, yet is he as shame-faced as any of his fel-
lows : and as he hates to quarrel, so he abhors
an affront ; but reserves his strength, activity,
and agility, till the rod or the net prove his ex-
aminant ; whose belly or spawn may be eaten
as diet, but then it proves in operation but
churlish physick ; not that I assert it my opi-
nion only, let experience upon examination bet-
ter instruct you. Now when the angler comes
to the water-side, and brings what he loves, he
courts a familiarity, though his credit of late
has been much impair'd in the cook-room :
which possibly may proceed from the ignorant

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 325

order of such as study rather to gratify their
voracious appetites, than the curious methods
of the art of angling. However, Isaac Walton
has provided a cook, that, in his opinion, can
dress him well enough, whose arguments be-
yond dispute, had indubitably miscarried, had
not his wife had a finger in the pie. Thus he,
and some others, dress fish before they catch
them ; but I approve it requisite to catch them
first, and then at your leisure dress them after-
wards.

The barbie, so named from his barbs or wat-
tles, most passionately admires the depth of the
river, at the tale of a stream : where you shall
usually find him sucking of soil, and lying pur-
due for worms and insects, or any thing else
that is sweet and edible. And by how much
the stronger you observe the stream, by so much
the more strength has the fish that inhabits
therein. And if there be rubbish, or any sort
of lumber, for his part he likes it never the
worse ; and if ruinous decays, or great stones
in the bottom, so much the better for his secu-
rity, whose provision is rarely any thing else,
save only what nature daily provides him. Nor
is he numbred among the fish of prey ; nor is
he a glutton, yet he knows how to eat ; nor is
he over-curious to court for varieties, though
some feed him with paste, and their liberality

326 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

he retaliates ; and some proffer him cheese to
close up the orifice of his stomach, them he also
gratifies ; and some give him worms well depu-
rated and scoured, for which modicum he con-
tributes his thanks : but he that would feed him
to death with a dainty, must bring him a dish
of salmon spawn.

The barbie courts the rapid torrents more
Than solid deeps : strong streams remote from shore
Oblige him most ; because the strongest streams
Bring him supplies, the rod brings only flames.

CHEVEN.

The chub, or cheven, is a fish of a supine na-
ture, yet of a robust and rural disposition, had
he but a heart to manage his strength ; who
upon examination is by every one understood
better for diversion by half than diet : a coarse
feeder, and himself as coarse to be fed on ; yet
of such a voracious appetite, that he scorns to
see any thing that he cannot eat, if another fish
can ; but my modesty constrains me to forbear
mentioning it. Now the spring approaching,
every thing inamours him, for then he haunts
the fords for fashion. Tis true he's an early
riser, that will sport the angler at break of day,
provided he furnish him with codworms, can-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 337

kers, caterpillars, cow-dung-grubs, gentles, pastes
tinctured with cambogium, &c. But then you
must cautiously obscure your self, and appear
like an angler least in sight. Yet still there's
another way much better to surprize him, that
is by dibling on the surface of the water, if cir-
cumspectly you conceal your self behind a bush,
or the more private and solitary shade of trees.
But your engine for this encounter, is a natural
fly, either the flesh fly, the bank fly, the gray
or the green drake ; but the green munkit of
the owlder-tree excels all the rest, as the sun in
excellency outlustres the stars. Moreover you
shall find him gaping after grass-hoppers, or any
other insect that presents in season. And since
nothing comes amiss, so nothing distates him ;
and where the locust is, there is he ; which if
well examined to the center of the calms, he
shall recompense the examinant with the re-
ward of his life ; always provided he but sepa-
rate the body from the leatherish wing, which
by reason of its viscuosity is rarely digested ;
nor is it otherwise by him well accepted.

"Tis true, with green cheese some anglers do
treat him, but then it succeeds best at the tale
of a stream ; at the fall of fords, into the solitary
deeps. And that you may know he affects va-
riety, let the artist at discretion exchange the
dairy maid's commons, for the beauty of a bright

328 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

and well-scoured red-worm, or the head of a frog
in April or May, or a black snail sometimes in
a dewy morning. These invitations make his
teeth stand a water. But for salmon-spawn if you
bring him that novel, you do your business, and
his too ; and shall have no cause I'll assure you
to repent it, when upon so fair an exchange, he
trucks away his life for a trifle. But September
approaching, you must bring him beef pith, for
which he shall sacrifice all he has, and give you
his carcase in exchange for his commons. What's
more to be desired by the rule of discretion, ex-
cept the angler be so indiscreet as not to accom-
modate him ?

The chub of all fish in the silver Trent,
Invites the angler to the turnament ;
Where near a stream you'l always find him ready
To meet the bait before it meets the eddy.

GRAILING.

Umbar or grailing is an amorous fish, that
loves a frolick as he loves his life, whose teeth
water after every wasp, as his fins flutter after
every fly ; for if it be but a fly, or the product of
an insect, out of a generous curiosity he is ready
to entertain it. Smooth and swift streams more
than any thing enamour him, notwithstanding

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 329

he declines the force of a torrent : Nor shall you
perswade him to quarrel with the gliding streams,
provided they be sweet, clear and shining. It is
from these translucid streams that the hackle,
and the artificial fly court him ashore. But of
all natural insects that accommodate the art, the
green drake is that sovereign ophthalmick that
opens his eyes and shuts them again, with the
hazard of his life, and loss of his element. Yet
for this fly-admirer, there is another bait, and
that is the munket, or a seagreen-grub, genera-
ted, as I take it, amongst owlder-trees. The like
product issues from the willow, so does it from
the sallow ; nor is the primp fence denied this
vegetable animal, save only they are different in
splendour and colour, as also as different in shape
and proportion. Take then this insect from the
owlder-tree, to refute the hypothesis of the in-
credulous angler ; which if ingeniously cultiva-
ted by the art of angling, will upon proof of a
well-manag'dexamination, invite umbar or grail-
ing from the top, or mid-water, to kiss your
hand, or I'll break my rod and disclaim the art.
Well then, as we consider the umbar not over
curious of deeps, we must consider him also not
over-cautious of shallows, con ten ting himself with
a middle fate, that directs him to the smooth-
est and stiffest streams, dedicating and devoting

12

330 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

himself to motion, because a great admirer of pe-
regrination ; and though not so generally under-
stood .as the trout is, yet give me leave to tell
you, if you fish him finely, he will keep you
company, either in Darwin, so in Dove, or in
the glittering silver streams of Trent : Pray
therefore when you fish him, fish him finely, for
he loves curiosity, neat and slender tackle ; and,
lady-like, you must touch him gently, for to
speak plain English, he is tender about the chaps,
otherwise perchance you defeat your self, so lose
your design. A brandlin, if any thing, will in-
tice him from the bottom ; but the gild-tail, of
all worms, upon change of water, will invite him
ashore, tho it cost him his life.

Umbar or grailing in the streams he'll lie,
Hov'ring his fins at every silly fly.
Fond of a feather ; you shall see him rise
At emmits, insects, hackles, drakes and flies.

BURBOLT.

The burbolt is a fish so rarely discours'd, and
of so little conversation with other fish, that it's
as difficult to find him, as it is to describe him,
who differs in nature from most other fish ; so
that if the angler be not very ingenious, well

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 331

educated and disciplined in the rudiments of
angling, he undertakes a task he can hardly per-
form, either to describe his nature or his haunt.
I know there are some rodomontadoes of the
rod, that wilfully and extravagantly will arraign
their faith, and rest it upon the mouldy records
and frothy opinion of slippery authority, where-
by to confirm themselves in the vanity of tradi-
tion, as also to gratify the zeal of putationers.
For that end I must tell you, and you may tell
others, that the silver streams of triumphant
Trent, as frequently as any streams, stroke the
scaly fins of this famous fish, who loves to live
by them, but cares not to live in them, rather
absconding himself in eddies, and sometimes in
arches, not far from streams and torrents of wa-
ter, where he is frequently found by the indus-
trious angler : for to search him striving against
a stream, is like to Q. Elizabeth's Scogen, that
at the sun's meridian (with a candle and Ian-
thorn) sought up and down for an honest man :
So to rifle the streams in Trent, or any other ri-
ver for this incognito, is but labour in vain, to
seek for him that hides himself from the rest of
his associates in solitary recesses ; a lively imita-
tion of Diogenes in Dolio.

The burbolt therefore we are to consider him
a fish, that as rarely as any fish travels far from
home to fetch his food ; from whence we con-

332 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

elude him not over-cautious, whatever it costs
him, that values not his life to purchase what he
loves. And fashion he affects not, nor the for-
mality of novels ; who contents himself with
country-commons, rather than to ramble up and
down for varieties ; yet would have it constant,
though not over-costly : who betters every thing
by his own delicacy, because himself is a delicate
morsel ; but seldom tasted, and as rarely consult-
ed. Which makes every angler desirous of him,
since he that takes him gets a reward ; which a
well-scoured red-worm certainly accomplishes, as
soon as any thing except the gudgeon, for that's
a charm that compels him ashore.

To write the burbolt's epitaph ; he dreams
That baulks the calms, to search him in the streams.
That angler that will court him to his dish,
Must bring him gudgeons to obtain his wish.

FLOUNDER.

The flounder is a fish that bites before any
man's face, not dreading the aspect of an inva-
der. It's true, he's a fish that's as bold as a buc-
caneer ; of much more confidence than caution,
yet nothing more curious ; one that loves good
meat, and is good meat himself; whose appetite
is open as early as his eyes, arid contemplates

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 333

day before sun-rise, frequently busying himself
about break-fast, half an hour sometimes before
break of day ; and delights, I must tell you, to
dwell among stones, so does he among stakes and
gravelly bottoms ; besides he's a great admirer
of deeps and ruinous decays, yet as fond as any
fish of moderate streams, and none beyond him
except the perch, that is more solicitous to rifle
into ruins ; insomuch that a man would fancy
him an antiquary, when to consider him so af-
fected with reliques, yet of that undaunted cou-
rage, that he dares to feed before any man's face,
provided there be but water enough to cover
him, though not to conceal him. Moreover, he
adheres so close to the bottom, that a man would
think him inoculated to it, or at least an inmate
in another element.

For that end let us consider the flounder a re-
solute fish, and one that struggles stoutly for a
victory with the angler, and is more than ordi-
narily difficult to deal with, by reason of his
built, which is altogether flat as it were a level ;
so that if it happen your tackle be fine, and the
bottom, as it sometimes falls out, to be foul, you
run the risk of your adventure and artillery.
Now some folks, beyond measure, admire this
fish, because opinionated he is so nutricious :
And truly he's good food, which makes him so
desirable, though seldom or rarely not over-cau-

334 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

tious to come by, if the angler be industrious but
to bring him a bait that he likes, and that is but
reasonable. Present him with a lob- worm, he'll
retaliate your courtesy ; or in exchange, a depu-
rated dew-worm, he'll not be ungrateful, for he
loves variety of all sorts of worms, the tag or ta-
gil, besides bradlins and gild-tails, which will at
any time intice him to die for what he loves ;
for you must know he's a fish so fond of a worm,
that he'll go to the banquet tho he die at the
board.

He that intends the flounder to surprize,
Must rise betimes, and fish before sun-rise.
But if the sluggard cannot rise so early,
Let him nod on, perhaps at noon he'll parly.

EEL, OR CONGER.

The eel insinuates himself into all sorts of wa-
ters, and can live in a stream, or without it ; in
the deepest pit, or the shallowest rivulet ; in
dirty muddy ditches, and silty owsy bottoms ;
or in rocky cavities in any rivers, wetting his
fins sometimes with the ocean. Now some are
conceited that eels are insects, and content not
themselves with the law of germination : And
if so, then it seems that nature was more unac-
tive about the race of eels, than other animals

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 335

committed to her conduct ; because to protrude
and thrust them forth as inanimates, after the
manner of vegetation. Such are the ignorant
conceptions of Gesner, and the unthinking rab-
ble of his ridiculous proselytes ; who, because to
suck in such pernicious principles, have tainted,
nay poisoned themselves by infecting others :
For had they but considered that eels have eggs,
(tho not so long as other fish to bear them about
them) without dispute it would expose some of
them to a blush, if when to reflect on their erro-
neous rashness, that causeth the artist to laugh
at their ignorance. But that eels do germinate,
is past dispute ; for if the roe, or spawn, be the
product of germination, then eels, as other ani-
mals, may germinate in specie > because furnished
with all the qualities for germination ; as is ob-
served by the female fish, whose burdened belly
in the spring (if examined) will sufficiently con-
vince the incredulity of such as would by advice
be better informed, whilst permitting others to
content themselves with the vanity of ignorance,
that eels are insects.

The eel therefore, you shall find him in caverns,
and the cavities sometimes of hollow rocks, grips
and gullies, devised on purpose by engineers for
the draining of grounds : Or else you may ob-
serve him in holes or hollow banks, the flaws in

336 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

bridges and broken breaches, occasioned some-
times by inundations of water ; out of which ab-
scondments any man may angle him, that con-
trives but a worm neatly on the end of a wand ;
which artifice is probing, and some call it pro-
khig ; but we dispute not the term. Now a
more expeditious invention, though not half so
genteel, is that engine or artifice some call a
gleave, but some others the eel-spear. Then
there's bobbing with a bunch or cluster of worms,
strung upon threads, non-commissionated by an-
glers : Yet night-hooks were never prohibited,
nor need they, since the eel bites in the heat of
the day. You must therefore consider him a fish
of an odd humour, that the sight of a worm shall
tempt him ashore, though he sacrifice his life to
the lust of his adversary.

The eel and conger lies in sandy bays,
On gravel beds, and sometimes in decays.
In hollow banks or stanks, in bridges there
You'll find this fish as soon as any where.

LAMPRE.

The lampre, (or suck-stone,) frequently ac-
costs the streams in Severn, and is conversant
also with many other rivers in the kingdom of

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 337

England. A fish that makes more sport in the
pie than the pool ; but of no great acquaint-
ance nor familiarity with anglers ; and that is
the reason he is so little discours'd, as if there
were no such thing in being : but assure your
self there is, and the plenty of such in the ri-
ver Cam, and some other rivers, as Thames and
Trent, that I dare to assert and divulge them
numerous : But as torpid deeps do not always
delight him, so transparent streams do not al-
together transport him ; nor admires he the
torrents of rapid rivers : And because no con-
stant housekeeper, we have considered him as
unconstant to diet. It's true, I have no com-
mission to assign him a traveller, and yet he is
seldom or rarely at home. At home did I say ?
surely I mistook my self, because he has no
home to go to, who lives like an intruder, insi-
nuating himself into all sorts of company, and
puts a foot under every ones table : for we find
him a fish altogether in suspicion ; therefore
seldom admitted among the scaly society ; who
prefers sand and gravel-beds infinitely before
muddy recrements ; and loves to be casting and
sucking stones, because it's a great part of his
life and maintenance; except otherwhiles he
stumbles upon offil or garbage, which if he do,
he feasts himself like a country-farmer ; when at
other times, like a shotten herring, he is forced

Y

338 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

to take up with shorter commons ; and such are
the roots of segs and candocks, which assign
him a sutable sauce to his diet.

I never yet knew an angler with the rod,
that designed a day's diversion with this piece
of suspicion. It is true, I have heard him vari-
ously discoursed, and perhaps as often as other
men, have seen him make circles in his own
element, but irregular ones out on't ; for I have
been at his death sometimes with an instru-
ment, and sometimes without it ; but never at
his destruction with the rod and line. The next
enquiry will be, how we shall surprize this Ar-
gos9 and reduce him, in some measure, to the
angler's designs. In order to that, some court
him with loaches, some with minews, some with
dew-worms, a small gudgeon, or toasted cheese :
but the maw of a beast best pleaseth him of any
thing; and truly I fancy it the most natural
bait for such a kind of a nasty fish, that nothing
can surprize but the noosed net, except he hap-
pens to meet with the berbed speer.

The lampre loves a gravely bottom best,
And's fam'd for pie-meat more than all the rest.
I needs must say the angler takes a prize
That takes this Argos ; or this fish all-eyes.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 339

ROACH.

As the roach is no costly fish, so is he not
over- curiously enquired after. He that seeks
him, without difficulty finds him as early for
breakfast, as the sun salutes the creation ; whose
habitation is found bordering upon banks, in
eddies, small turns, and meandring streams ;
and where there's a bush in the suburbs of the
streams, there you shall find him sheltring him-
self, when recruits of rain force down the
freshes, and drive the soil from off the fertil
fields ; for then you may fish him, and not go
far to find him : when at other times, more es-
pecially near the approaching winter, he houses
himself in the more solitary security of can-
docks and bull- rushes, in depths of the water.
But whilst we paraphrase and discourse the
roach, we but decipher and interpret the rud ;
since nature's laws are alike to both, for both
have but one fate and period, though of differ-
ent complexion in fin, having natural inclina-
tion to long and warm days, to small and tril-
ling streams, yet neither of them lovers nor ad-
mirers of travel : by which you may guess, that
seldom or rarely they are found far from home ;
for placing a content in their little confinements,

340 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

shews their unwillingnes to examine the extent
of their confines.

Now you are to consider the roach a great
fly-admirer, who examines the season by the
sun's distribution of heat, that generously warms
and nourisheth the creation, by giving a new
life after the death of an expiring winter. And
since we observe him so inamoured with flies,
care must be taken to bring him what he loves ;
and that is the ant, when insects come in, for
which servile gratitude he recompensed! the
angler. Or if, in the mean time, he be accom-
modated with bank-flies, small flesh-flies, or a
well-scoured gentle, he doubly retaliates, when
he gives you himself. I have given him brand-
lins, bee-grubs, cow-grubs, cabbage-grubs, cank-
ers, caterpillars, pastes of all compounds, and of
various tinctures ; for which he never was un-
grateful : but he that brings him the yellow
cod-worm, brings him what he loves, for his pa-
trimony can never purchase the prize,, but sub-
mits to the charm, and proffers himself to the
angler.

The roach (or rod) not greedy of promotion,
Loves ponds and rivers, better than the ocean.
In solitary pools they spend their time ;
And travel hate as an immortal crime.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 341

DACE.

The dace, or dare, is the fresh-water herring ;
a fish that is common and constant ; one that
loves to divert himself and is the angler's di-
version : for it's rare to Come to the water-side,
and find him out of humour to bite. Now to
tell you where he lives, I need not ; for you
shall find him in most or all the rivers and ri-
vulets in England ; and to acquaint you with
what he loves, is needless, for there's nothing
that is edible he'l at any time refuse. Hot wea-
ther allures him forth of deeps ; for warm days
invite him abroad for recreation, because then
he bathes himself in the glittering streams ; but
when affected with cold, he dives into the more
solitary deeps, as most or all other fishes do,
that burden themselves with water, as age is
burdened with diseases and infirmities. But at
the period of bright Cinthia's progress, when
the sun and long days have consumed the re-
crement of the expiring winter ; then you shall
find him sporting, and picking among the gli-
ding silver streams of Trent : so in most rivers
in the confines of the kingdom ; where you may
recreate your self, and refresh him with a bank,
stone, or flag-fly, as the opportunity of the place,
and the season of the year presents.

342 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

For in the vernon ingress, if you proffer him
drakes, either the green or the gray drake, he
will never refuse them ; or should you invite
him with their shadow (viz.) the artificial resem-
blance, you complement him with a curiosity :
But the natural fly, more abundantly than the
artificial, contributes to his humour. But his
ground-bait is the brandlin, if well purged in de-
licate sweet and new moss ; or a fair large gen-
tle, well depurated and scoured in bran : but
the yellow cod-worm excels all the rest (as a
flame in bowdie excels all colours) provided it
be adorned with the head of a fly. This is the
charm that invites him ashore, and as soon as
any thing brings him to hand.

The dace of all fish is the daring fish
To sport with flies, and after in the dish
He's not to be despis'd j because his end's
To sport the angler, and to feast his friends.

RUFF.

The ruff, some call him Pope ; but call him
what you will, for I suppose he obtained that
title from his infallibility of biting ; which he
seldom fails to do, if the angler happens to come
where he is, and that is almost every where.
This little desperado, tho he wants conduct, yet

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 343

has he resolution and courage enough to encoun-
ter death ; who seldom as any fish gives an af-
front, yet rarely or never refuses the combat. It
is true, he is cautious, but not contentious ; more
a hero than a Hector ; who never flies except at
the face of his enemy ; and is for the most part
constant in victory, save only when encountring
the victorious angler. This little buckaceer arm'd
at all points, consorts the angler, and entertains
him at all times, provided he seek for him near
the solitary decays of broken bridges, ruinous
foundations, and the roots of trees. Besides, he
loves bull-rushes, beds of segs and candocks,
where frequently you may find him. So in ed-
dies, turns in water, but in meandring pools you
will rarely miss of him ; and where stumps,
stakes, and hollow banks are, there is he to be
found ; otherwise conclude he is not in that co-
lony.

This little resolute animal, his stature consi-
dered, is of as great resolution as any fish that
wags a fin, and as generous and profuse of his
life as his lordship : not unlike the prodigal, that
hates to out-live his estate and patrimony. The
angler therefore that would civilly treat him,
ought to bring him what he loves, and that you
know is but requisite and reasonable ; and where-
ever you find him, it's a hundred to one that the

344 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

whole armado is not far from him ; since for the
most part they move all in a body. One would
think them mutineers, because all of a piece ; for
if you hang but one, all the rest are in danger.
Nor will they revolt, or retreat from their diet,
since every one resolves to eat till he die. I
fancy them somewhat of the nature of negroes,
that expect after death to return back to the
Gold-coast ; for if you bring him but a brand-
lin, or a well-purg'd gild- tail, he shall shew you
his face, and leap into the pannier.

The ruff, or pope, inhabits little holes,
Betwixt the Artick and Antartick Poles :
Who seldom quarrels ; yet can't well dispense
With an affront, who arms for his defence.

GUDGEON.

As the gudgeon is a most delicious fish, so
ought he to be most delicately drest ; and be-
cause the angler's and every one's entertainment,
therefore he's preferr'd before many other fish
that make not so fine a show in the platter. It's
true, there's no fear to surfeit of a diet that's so
naturally nutricious, and converts all into nou-
rishment, without the law of physick. This piece
of curiosity is a curious admirer of limpid, clear

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 345

and cristalline streams, more especially when
rounded with gentle turns in rivers and rivulets,
that have sandy bottoms ; and if paved with gra-
vel, it's never the worse ; who almost to a mira-
cle affects cleanliness in eating ; and as he loves
his life, loves that his meat should always be
well washed before he eats it. This fresh-water
smelt seldom or never roves abroad as other fish
do, to recreate himself with insects and flies ; but
contents himself at home with a gentle, rather
than to ramble abroad for varieties ; for to speak
plain English, his life is in danger, and sentence
of death pronounced at the sight almost of every
master-fish. But the brandlin he adores as his
select modicum, and the gild-tail sweetens all his
diversions : so that if either be brought him to
sport and play with, he would have it vivid, but
not livid ; and sweetned and adorned with an
odoriferous perfume.

Now some anglers have been pleased to write
various encomiums on this little curious piece
of mortality ; and they do him right : for he is
a fish, that not only entertains the angler with
the rod, but as if there were a familiarity betwixt
them, nibbles at his toes, whilst he muddles in
the streams ; diverting not the angler only, but
the salmon also. Besides the perch admires him,
and the eel, and the burbolt adore him. So do
many other fish, but the pike above all fish no

346 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

sooner sees him, but his teeth water till he taste
of the dainty.

The gudgeon loves the water, sweet and clear :
In freshest streams, and smallest turns, he's there.
Look till you find him ; then you find your wish,
If for a banquet, or a bait for fish.

BLEAK.

The bleak or whitlin is the summer intelli-
gencer, and more of a masculine than a feminine
nature ; that conceals himself (lady-like) all the
winter, till long days and a warm sun invites
him forth to purchase flies, which are sold him
sometimes at the rate of his life. This fresh-
water sprat is of most accurate motion, and feeds
not much unlike the swallow, partaking very
much of his nature and quality, as near as fish
and fowl can do, or as near as fish and flesh can
have, and that's as near as the elements can ad-
mit of : which certainly is a secret, yet very ob-
servable, if the angler but consider their coming
in, which is in the vernon ingress ; their natural
food, and their going out together, in the autum-
nal equinox. You must also remember that he
loves not a stream, yet would he by no means
dwell far from it ; and bites aloft at the race of
flies, yet gratifies himself with the soil of the

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 347

earth. At mid- water, if you seek him, he's so-
licitous after gentles ; and if at the bottom, he
desires a brandlin : but he that would court him
to death with a dainty, must bring him a parcel
of ant-flies.

The bleak or whitlin, floats in silent deeps
In summer-time ; but all the winter sleeps ;
For then he's seldom seen : this curious dish
Implicit Walton calls the swallow-fish.

MINEW.

The minew or penk is, in my opinion, but a
very small banquet for fish or fisher. But a lit-
tle discourse shall serve for this little fish, that is
no ways difficult to find, nor is he over-curious
to catch, provided the artist but come where he
is, and that's almost every where : nor need you
search him in rapid streams, for there he is not,
yet dwells not far from them ; but in rills and
rivulets, in their small turns of water, with a bit
of a worm, or a brandlin, if you please, you may
turn him out as soon as with any thing.

The minue lives, I need not tell you how ;
Examine Trent, and there you'l find enow.
The salmon, trout, and perch, sliely he'l cheat
Them of their lives ; and yet's their daily meat.

348 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

Thcoph. And must this be our exercise to
trample the beautiful banks and the florid mea-
dows of famous Trent, to rifle her fords for di-
version, and sweeten our senses with fragrant
odorates that perfume the air ? blest beyond ex-
pectation, to imprint on her silver sands the
lively character of the angler's footsteps, whilst
we flourish our artillery over the trembling
streams, as they silently glide through the redo-
lent fields, with a soft but sweet and murmur-
ing noise.

Am. Thus we may divert our selves with
the streams of Trent, until the radiant zenith
strike us with heat, and then consult umbrage
under the shady oaks ; where not to be idle, we
may there form flies, and keep out of sunshine ;
where the rocks and the woods will invite us to
contemplate the imbellished creation, the variety
of creatures, and the all-glorious Creator.

Theoph. This I confess is sovereign advice,
and if I mistake not, the shady trees of Sher-
wood will conduce to moderate the fiery strokes
of the sun, whilst Phaeton with his chariot ca-
reers to the western fountains.

Am. Nor till then is it. needful to return to
our exercise, and make inrodes with our art and
artificial artillery ; for to practise the ground-
bait in the heat of the day, is a piece of industry

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 349

without any ingenuity ; since the true know-
led g and disquisitions of the ground-bait, if se-
dulously consulted, will sufficiently compensate
the toil of the artist, because when to afford him
a due poize of profit, with solitary pleasure.
Moreover, it's less difficult to calculate the con-
stant commons that fish themselves frequently
acquire, than to enumerate the various and mul-
tiform classes of emmits, insects, worms and
flies.

Theoph. I believe no less.

Am. Then cast back your eye on those solid
foundations of earth and rocks, and consider with
your self the ornaments of nature ; how concre-
tions are link'd together, and earths and clays
amalgamiz'd and coagulated into minerals : how
animals and insects are lodg'd and conceal'd in
the surface of soils and stagnated pools ; mean-
ing such as compensate the art and industry of
every industrious and ingenious angler. Nor is
it difficult to procure this mortal entertainment
for exercise and recreation ; since it's nothing
more than a knotted earth-worm, of which there
are several sorts, and diversity of sizes ; conse-
quently various kinds, and variety of colours.

Theoph. Pray, explain your self.

Arn. Thus I explain my self; as the nature
and quality of the earth is, such also are the
generations and productions of animals and in-

350 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

sects ingendred therein. Some products we ob-
serve them to be naturally leprous, and such
are usually struck with morbifick deformities.
Some again are prolifick, and animated with
life ; as some others are design' d for vegetation.
Some earths are cold, frigid, and moist ; on the
contrary, some others by reason of the salinity
of sand, are fortified with heat almost to excess.
There are also various complexions of earths
and soils, which calify and indurate by the sun's
reflection, so incrustate themselves by contact
and connexion, that with little difficulty facili-
tate a warmth : so that whilst some are acci-
dentally cold, as ardent are othersome because
influenced by callifaction. But as some are na-
turally cold, by northern influence, destinated
to a marly spungeous clay ; intemperately hot
are othersome, by confluence of bituminous and
sulphureous mixts cooperating with them. Some
are boggy, some gravelly, some naturally fer-
til, othersome as naturally sterril. All which
demonstrate the various modification and me-
thods of nature, and the divine preordinate wis-
dom of God the Creator, whose decrees are in-
violable, and whose laws are irrevocable ; and
from whom nature in all her operations copies
to the life from the first original. When, there-
fore, seriously to consider the various families
of insects and animals, naturally protruded and

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 351

thrust forth into the world, for the supply of
themselves and their fellow-creatures, it demon-
strates a benevolence, and not a prodigality in
nature to stock the elements with such a nu-
merous increase, as my self and others have cu-
riously inspected. So that sometimes one ani-
mal, and sometimes another, infinitely excels as
to the angler's recreation.

But the classis of worms are multiform and
various ; manifestly the lob, or more properly
the dew-worm, knob or knotted worm ; red-
worm, brandlin, gild-tail, marish-worm ; flag
and dock-worm, tag and tagil, spotspere, munck
and muck-worm ; cod-wrorm and straw-worm,
•Sec. But it's impossible to enumerate the in-
numerable sorts and varieties of worms, and the
texture of insects, (different also in shape, co-
lour, beauty, and proportion,) except propheti-
cally instructed beyond the due mediums of
art, or otherwise inspected by natural observa-
tion : as when to imagine some of them smooth,
of a contrary quality are those that are ruff,
fretted, and knotted. The various like we read
of colour, form, beauty, proportion, and com-
plexion ; as when to inspect some of them red,
some others green, some red and green with a
greenish cast ; and some green with a reddish
tincture ; and some affected with a glance of
both : some again display a brownish, blewish,

352 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

and purplish rubedo ; some others shine forth a
citrine colour ; so that some are yellowish, and
some again orange ; some are gray, some livid,
some veril, some azure, and some more obscure,
imprest with various signatures and remarkable
observations. Nature generously provides mul-
tiplicity of this animal race, whereby to furnish
her common-weal, and accommodate her solicit-
ous admirers. But of all the worms that move
in the earth, the gild-tail alone is the angler's
corona.

Theoph. Now I conclude the fish as good as
half catch'd, had we but cooks to order and dress
them, and our appetites in effect moderately
refresh'd ; had we but patience to pick out the
bones. After this manner recreation brings a
reward, when proportioned to propagate the so-
vereign ray of health ; but not that I extol the
luxurious angler, that prefers the platter by the
plentiful pannier : for he that imitates generous
nature, must when he puts a period to the pro-
gress of the life of one fish, charitably endea-
vour the multiplication of thousands ; otherwise
he that voraciously pursues his exercise, either
spoils the creatures to gratify his luxury, or
sports away their lives for the vanity of excess.

Arn. I approve of your morals and modest
conceptions, that direct the angler to furnish
himself with such convincing arguments, as in-

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 353

vite him only to fish for recreation. How few
pretenders to the rod then, would covet the
death of fish for fancy ? Nay, who would not
study to prolong their lives, were it for no -other
end than to furnish the fords, to relieve the ne-
cessitous, and divert the angler ? Were not the
ends jof the creation made answerable to the
means of preservation ? Who disputes it ? Then
if so, let me tell you that immoderate exercise
(in all or any one) puts a damp to pleasure;
and if the end of pleasure can be adjudged de-
struction, then no man can be satisfied without
excess. And what is excess but inordinate riot,
that makes a breach in the royal command-
ments, in opposition to life, so results in death ?
Where note, this distinction is necessary to be
understood ; that as rods and nets are different
means, so they also answer to different ends.
The first, if when to consult rapid and roling
streams ; but the latter results in such parts of
water, where no line nor rod claims a right of
privilege ; or with such a fish whose invincible
strength, nothing but the net can encounter and
overcome.

Thus arm'd at all points with our innocent
artillery, and resolved to trample the redolent
fields, and the florid meadows of famous Trent,
we shall there encounter with murmuring streams

354 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

that invite to exercise and contemplation : whilst
the shady forest, and solitary groves advance our
speculation to the suburbs of Paradise ; where
all the trees stand in such a beautiful order (to
admiration) and divinely drest by the royal hand
of him that made this stupendous creation, de-
notes mortals immortal, and time eternal : which
true felicity no man attains to, by the study of
morals only, and the beauty of the creation, but
a crucified Saviour, and the piety of Christiani-
ty ; and then I know not but the streams of
Damascus may as effectually cleanse as the pool
of Bethesda.

Theoph. Your discourse seems too intricate,
and ambiguous for the vulgar.

Am. Not at all, for it neither violates huma-
nity, nor opposes the piety of Christianity ; it
only points to those destitute of devotion, that
would, if possible, enervate the mystical ray of
discovery, assassinate piety, and silence the ora-
cles of truth, to strike truth dumb ; so bury
and entomb it in the sepulchre of oblivion. But
truth's bright and illustrious star will convince
the world of the truth of this hypothesis, that
neither envy nor emulation (nor studied art in
opposition to truth) though fomented by the
sons of Zoilus, shall never darken it so, as to-
tally to deface it, but will shine forth a light to
discover their shame, with the vice of the times,

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 355

and exorbitancy of life. I write to the intelli-
gent, and not to alphabet anglers, that wander
up and down besides themselves, to lick up the
spumous froth of fiction, and rally the records
of fabulous pamphleteers, to swell their impo-
verished empty volumes, on purpose spread
abroad to amuze the unwary : but this I resolve
against, by exhorting ingenuity to consult ex-
perience, notwithstanding my rudiments and la-
borious directions ; for without due observation
in the exercise of angling, besides speculation in
the progress of theory, (in this, or indeed in any
other art,) no man shall level a right founda-
tion.

Theoph. Such signal remonstrations (like an
ingres si ve spirit) strike deep impressions into
my thoughtful breast. It must be a master ;
and what master but experience must we have,
to induct us into the methods, mediums, and re-
gularities of science ? Does experience any more
obliterate theory, than rudiments rip up the
foundation of art ? which they do riot, nor can-
not : then ought the rules of practicks to be the
solicitation of every artist, which analysis of ne-
cessity I cannot but comply with ; or let the
surviving ages engrave on my tomb-stone, post
est occasio calva.

Arn. To compleat a scholar, therefore, we are
to consider that every pedagogue that initiates

356 NORTHERN MEMOIRS-

his novice into the rudiments of grammar, gives
him literature first. After the same manner, and
not altering my methods, I have laid down the
rules and hypotheses of the ground-bait. Where
note, I prefer the worm for the angler's exercise
(if artificially scoured) as a general bait before
any other, and upon all occasions (inordinate
seasons excepted) if purposing thereby to con-
sult the bottom (as also the innumerable families
of fish :) and so farewel, for it's almost sun-set,

THKOPHILUS.

What tho the night's dark scenes and shades display
The bright sun's absence ; can't the stars make day ?

AKNOLDUS.

Can those obscurer tapers light the world,
Whose lights are from the sun's bright furnace hurl'd ?
Motion they have, it's true ; that causes wonder :
But God that join'd their rays, takes them asunder.

THEOPHILUS.

From what bright influence then do comets borrow
Their radiant beam ?

ARNOLDUS.

The stars, they strike them thorow.

THEOPHILUS.

Must we conclude the world all vegetation,
Humane race excepted, by generation ?

9

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 357

ARNOLDUS.

The slippery womb of earth, in time sent out
A thing uncapable to walk about :
Till God in love, out of a pure compassion,
Made man the margin of this great creation.

THEOPHILUS.

Why then do mortals fight against superiours ;
And pull down angels to advance inferiours ?

ARNOLDUS.

Man may attempt it ; but his slender arm
Has hardly warmth in't for to keep him warm.

THEOPHILUS.

No, why then presumes he by force to raise
His fires so high to make the heavens blaze ?

ARNOLDUS.

That's a mistake, man's but a minute's breath,
Blown out of doors but with one puff of death.

THEOPHILUS.

And yet immortal too ! strange prodigy,
That man the lord of all, should live to die !

ARNOLDUS.

'Tis true, a star fell on a shrine of earth,
That touch'd mortality, and gave it birth,
Conduct, and reason, and a soul immortal,
Lit by the lamp of Heaven's glorious portal.
Made all miraculous, yet this won't please :
Heaven must die, to cure the world's disease.

358 NORTHERN MEMOIRS.

And yet this mortal wonder we call man,
Is still averse e're since the world began.

THEOPHILUS.

Ungrateful creature, who by Heaven's decree,
Was made to live, and had the sov'raignty
Of the creation. What to say I know not ;
Nor what to think, for thoughts are things that do not.

ARNOLDUS.

Since days and nights all terminate in one,
And stars made emblems of their sovereign sun :
Then to be loyal, each a star must be ;
But to be royal, claims the sov'raigntie.
The Gordian knot's so knit, none can unty
But He that made the world's great harmony.
For God with nature such sublime things blended,
That man nor dev'ls, angels themselves can't find it.
We can but climb the gradual steps of sense ;
And they'r but motives to intelligence.
But those sweet melting cords in a Saint's brest,
That lives by faith of things yet unexprest,
Invigorate the soul ; and lends her eyes to see
That earth and heaven, all's but harmony.

THEOPHILUS.

Then rocks are organs, and the ambient air
But the harsh sound of heaven's softer quire.
Waters make musick ; so all things by art,
Where nature freely her free gifts impart,
Speak harmony, and divinely shows
That from another fountain this thing flows.

NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 359

ARNOLDUS.

Consider but the chaos in creation,

When the Divinest made a separation :

How that the earth stood still, whilst he raisM higher

The sun's bright torch, or all had been on fire.

THEOPHILUS.

Amazing wonder ! see, Aurora now
Strips off the sables from night's shady brow ;
That Sol no sooner peeps to gild the skies,
But all the mists before his presence flies.

ARXOLDUS.

'Tis true they do ; and he that sees their flight,
Sees darkness gradually transformed to light.
Yet let him not mistake himself, for day
Is but Time's copy-book : cast that away,
And what presents ? Death, more obscure than night,
Through whose dark pilgrimage we creep to light.

LAUS DEO.

NOTES.

NOTES.

Note I.
/ saw two thousand horse all advance in division over these silly

shores. — P. 71.

The passage of the Solway Sands, by a large body of cavalry, was
a sight which might have been seen more than once during the great
Civil Wars. In 1648, the Duke of Hamilton entered England by
the way of Carlisle, and, in 1651, Charles II. took the same route.
In both of these ill-fated expeditions, it is probable that a large
part of the Scottish cavalry crossed the Solway, near Burgh on the
sands. It is scarce necessary to add, that, chance when it would,
the description in the text must be considered as exceedingly hyper-
bolical.

Note II.

1'se butfet my spear and cutrements. — P. 72.
The people who dwell on either side of the Solway have an un-
common mode of taking salmon, by pursuing the fish on horseback,
and at full gijlop, through the shallows which are left by the tide
in its retreat. The guide, who attends Theophilus and Arnoldus,
takes his leister, or salmon-spear, along with him, that, in his own
phrase, in case he meet with a fish, he may mar his march to the
sea any more. This may be called a sort of salmon-hunting.

364 NOTES ON

Note III.

My hook hangs still in his chaps. — P. 82.

The hooking, playing, and finally the loss of a salmon, by an
inexperienced and impatient angler, is very accurately described
in the preceding passage. All fishermen of judgment know, that,
when the salmon lies dead-still at the bottom, it is in order to collect
his strength for a rally ; and that it is very hazardous to strain the line
on him at that moment. On the contrary, the judicious angler holds
himself in readiness for the fish springing into the air, with the
purpose of throwing the weight of its body on the line, and prepares
to evade this manoeuvre, by lowering the rod suddenly at the same
moment, so as to slack the line, and then secure the purchase on the
fish the instant afterwards. This requires great sleight of hand and
presence of mind, and many a fish breaks away in such circumstan-
ces, and leaves the angler to mourn his impatience and want of ad-
dress. This is one of the passages which shews Franck to have been
a practical salmon-fisher. — See his caution in p. 85.

Note IV.
The name of Comer they mightily honour, but that of Gossip they

utterly abominate. — P. 91.

Commer (from the French Comere) and gossip are the Scottish
and English words for a godmother, or more generally for a com-
panion and intimate.

Note V.

The remarkable antiquities and mines of Boghall. — P. 92.
Arnoldus here tells his companion a story of the hardships which
he sustained upon a former expedition in Scotland,, when he made
one of a body of English cavalry which was stationed at Boghall, a
castle of the Earls of Wigton. The village where they quartered is
no other than the town of Biggar, which cannot, even in the present
day, be recommended for the superior accommodations which it af-
fords the traveller.

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 365

Note VI.

Kilniarnock, an ancient corporation. — P. 98.
This borough is situated on the Irvine, which, by mistake, our
author terms the Mar, and derives its name from being the burial-
place of Saint Marnock. The manufacture of dirks and other edged-
tools has declined, but, it need scarce be said, that of Scottish cloths
has increased in a great proportion.

Note VII.

Famous Glasgow. — P. 10o.

The panegyric, which the author pronounces upon Glasgow, gives
us a higher idea of the prosperity of Scotland's western capital,
during the middle of the 17th century, than the reader perhaps
might have anticipated. A satirist with respect to every other place,
Fianck describes Glasgow as the " nonsuch of Scotland, where an
English florist may pick up a posy." Commerce had already brought
wealth to Glasgow, and with wealth seems to have arisen an atten-
tion to the decencies and conveniences of life, unknown as yet in
other parts of Scotland.

Note VIII.

Wellcome to Dunbarton.— P. 111.

A strict search among records, were it wo: li while, might dis-
cover the name of the English Commandant 01 Dumbarton during
the republick, who is here called Aquilla, and who, as an old
acquaintance, receives Arnoldus and Theophilus in his fortress.
Cromwell maintained twenty-eight garrisons in different parts of
Scotland, in the forts and castles which he found ready built, besides
erecting new citadels at Leith, Air, Inverness, and Glasgow. The
expence of the standing army necessary to keep Scotland in subju-
gation, was as great a grievance to the English as the presence of
the forces was to the Scotch.

366 NOTES ON

Note IX.

The head ofLasman.—P. 114.

In this passage, and elsewhere, Arnoldus mistakes the name of
the rivers in which he took his pastime. What he here calls the
Loeman is the Leven, the outlet of Loch-Lomond, which forms the
harbour of Dunbarton ; a stream, which, with its banks and finny
inhabitants, has been rendered immortal by Smollet's Ode. The
whole description of taking the salmon, which follows, is in the true
spirit of the sport, and cannot but amuse all true " gentlemen pis-
catorians and lovers of the rod."

Note X.

Island of Luss.— ?. 127.

Luss is a parish, not an island, nor is it easy to see how an island
could have been the boundary of a lake, as the author asserts. By
Luss we are to understand the mountains on the western side of
Loch-Lomond.

Note XI.

The pass of Inch Callow. — P. 127.

The Pass of Bealamaha, on the eastern side of the lake, is not
improperly called the Pass of Inch-cailzie, being almost straight op-
posite to the island so termed. Inch-cailzie, or the Island of the Old
Women, once contained a nunnery.

Note XII.

Beautiful Bohanun. — P. 128.

The ludicrous description of Buchanan is no longer applicable,
owing to the extensive woods and improvements which now adorn
the vicinity of the Duke of Montrose's seat there. The " kirk of
Dremen," mentioned in the same page, should have been spelled
Drymen, and " Kilmarnock" ought to have been Kilmaronock.
The ruins of the castle are still standing. It was once the seat of
the Earls and Dukes of Lennox, and afterwards of the Cochranes,
who became Earls of Dundonald. It has been, in its time, a place
of strength and importance.

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 36?

Note XIII.

The flourishing streets of Calvin. — P. 129.
On the Kelvin and the Blane, which last, though the livelier
trouting stream of the two, is not expressly mentioned by our au-
thor, stand the gentlemen's seats which he has commemorated ;
Duntreath, the seat of the Edmonstones, and Craig-Barnet and Glo-
rat, belonging to families of the name of Stirling. The little old
castle, or rather tower of Glorat, which furnishes our author with so
much mirth, is still in existence.

Note XIV.

Kilsgth—Campsie.—?. 130.

Near Kilsyth, as the author remarks, Montrose, in 1645, gained
his last, and most splendid victory, in which four or five thousand
of the vanquished fell in the flight and pursuit. The Campsie
hills, although " their weeping rocks" cannot be said to moisten
the air, to the degree intimated in the text, are situated so as to
catch the vapours, whether they rise from the Frith of Clyde, or
from the Frith of Forth; and, accordingly, the climate is very moist.

Note XV.

Minevir — Drumon Castle — Mockeny.—P. 136.
The parish of Moni vaird, the ancient castle of the house of Drum-
mond, and Mohany, belonging to an ancient branch of the same fa-
mily, are all in Perthshire.

Note XVI.

Kinnule, that tantalized the tailor with an invisible stone.— P. 146.
This legend, which our author tells at some length, is also nar-
rated by one of the Italian novelists, (which of that amusing class
I do not remember,) and was probably the original invention of some
Norman diseur. But tradition had early assigned it a local scene on
the hill of Kinnoul, near Perth, and it is accordingly alluded to by
Adamson, in his Mnse* Threnodie, The Dragon-hole, in which it

NOTES ON

: said to have been found, is a cave in a steep rock, in the face of
, aimoul-hillj very dangerous and difficult of access ; the scene of
many a merry May-game in the times of Popery, which were pro-
hibited by the puritanic severity of the kirk-session of Perth. It
is not unlikely that the trick put upon Jamie Keddie (Adamson for-
tunately has retrieved from oblivion the hero's name) was a jest,
arising out of the humours of the festival.

We need not card nor cross-staffe for our pole,
But, thence ascending, clam the Dragon-hole,
With crampets on our feet, and clubs in hand,
Where, it's recorded, Jamie Keddie fand
A stane, enchanted, like to Gyge's ring,
Which made him disappear — a wondrous thing.
If it had been his hap to have retain'd it.
But, losing it, again could never find it.

The Muses Threnodic. The Sixth Verse.

Adamson's poem was first printed, 1638.

Note XVII.
Scotland' s great general , the Earl of Leven, was born promiscuously,

of obscure parents. — P. 152.

If being born promiscuously signifies to be born meanly, this was
not the case. The celebrated David, Earl of Leven, was the son of
Leslie of Balgonie, Captain of Blair Castle, by a daughter of Stuart
of Ballechin.

Note XVIII.
Old Drumkilbo.— P. 153.

Drumkilbo, situated 'about three miles from the village of Mei-
gle in Strathmore, belongs to a family of the name of Nairne.

Note XIX.
Tipprofin — mossy and boggy, full of pits and horrid blackness. —

P. 155.

The spacious moss of Tipperfin atones for its extreme ugliness,
by producing great quantities of excellent marie. The author has

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 369

spoiled the silly tale which he tells concerning the origin of the
name, by a slight alteration in the orisons of the poor priest who fell
into the bog — Ex jjrofunditatibus, &c. con1 J never have formed T:p-
profin, though de profundis might come near to that sound.

Note XX.

The Loch ofFitloiL— P. 155.

This small lake, with that called the Loch of Lundy, lies at the
head of the water of Dighty, which rising on the southern side of the
Seedlaw hills, flows to Dundee. The angler's tale of the witches, by
whom he was here beset, is one of the few marvellous legends with
which he burthens our credulity ; and the belief of witchcraft, it
must be remembered, was universal at this period. Neither does
the Tourist himself seem very positive in believing the existence of
these " mortal daemons," as he calls them.

The word whituratch is never, in Scotland, used to signify a fox-
terrier, as asserted in the text. Perhaps it may have been the pro-
per name of the witch's lap-dog. Whitret signifies wcazel — a natu-
ral enough name for that sort of dog.

XXI.

Tlif flourishing fields of Meghill, wherein lies interrd the royal

corps of King Arthur s consort. — P. 164-.

Some of the very curious sepulchral remain? in the Church-yard
of Meigle, in Strathmore, have been engraved by Pennant, but not
with the most laudable accuracy. The common people are uni
in the tradition which points them out as referring to the history c *
King Arthur ; and shew one of the most distinguished, as the mo-
nument of tae celebrated Vanora, Guenever, or Ganore, the queen,
of that reiiu wned sovereign. Arthur-stone, a neighbouring property,
takes its name from the same hero. Certainly the number and cu-
rious sculpture of these a!hcient stones, now carefully protected by
the proprietor of Meigle, Patrick Murray, Esq. of Syrnprim, are such
as entitle us to refer them to some era of importance. But the re-
nown of King Arthur and his chivalry was spread so universally
through all Europe, that their exploits were readily adopted as the

370 NOTES ON

solution of every doubt, and many vestiges of antiquity were ascribed
them, merely on account of their traditional fame.

Note XXII.
Elliot — when famous Leven was surprised in his quarters by the Eng*

lish cavalry. — P. 170.

Elliot is more commonly termed Alyth. When Charles II.
marched towards England in 1651, the Committee of Estates met
there, for the purpose of levying forces to support the royal cause,
and raise, if possible, the siege of Dundee. They were surprised by
Allured, with a body of English horse, dispatched by Monk for that
service, from his camp, then laid before Dundee. This sudden on-
set dispersed their hasty levies, and many of themselves, including
the celebrated Lesley, Earl of Leven, were made prisoners. About
twenty-five or thirty years ago, a considerable sum of money was
found in the village, supposed to be a part of their supplies, which
had been hastily secreted.

Note XXIII.
Martyr fish with the blaze of a wisp and a barbed spear. — P. 171.

The angler is naturally jealous of whatever appears to interfere
with his own favourite pastime. But an old spearman may be al-
lowed to state, in favour of the picturesque and manly sport of "burn-
ing the* water," that the salmon so killed have been too long in the
fresh water to rise at a fly ; nor can it be otherwise, as the burning
can only be practised when the river is low and the pools very clear,
and, consequently, where there are no newly-run fish for the amuse-
ment of the angler.

Note XXIV.

The brewster-wffe, and Puggy, the cow of Silly Pringle. — P. 18.5.
For the sake of accuracy, the author ought to have written,
" Peggy, the cow of Baillie Pringle." By the way, in page 136, the
author assigns Dumblane as the residence of the jovial baillie, whom
he has here transplanted to Cupar. The foolish story of Doch an Do-
rough, which Captain Franck tells, after the manner of a dull man
detailing a jest, is founded upon the ancient Scottish custom of the

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 371

landlord presenting a stirrup-cup to his guests, for which no reckon-
ing was charged.

Note XXV.

Carlisle-Mount— Kincarn O'Neal — p. 194, 195.
Read Cairn o' Mount and Kincardine O'Neale.

Note XXVI.

Reven in Badenoch. — P. 196.
Read, Ruthven in Badenoch, a small Highland village.

Note XXVII.
Art was both engine and engineer, to invite this ship into this solitary

lough. — P. 197.

The curious account which the author gives of transporting a
vessel to Loch-Ness, for the purpose of annoying the Highlanders
who continued to defend their mountains long after the low coun-
try was subjected by Cromwell, was an instance, amongst many, of the
determined perseverance, as well as the ingenuity, of the republican
commanders. The nature of the war betwixt them and the High-
landers may be judged of, by perusing the Memoirs of Sir Ewen Ca-
meron of Lochiel, printed in the first volume of Pennant's Tour.
Art has, by means of the Caledonian Canal, now rendered Loch-
Ness a navigable, or, according to the author's favourite phrase, a
portable lake.

Note XXVIII.

The earth in Ross has an antipathy against rats. — P. 207.
The same was anciently believed of various districts. The earth of
Liddesdale, for example, in Roxburghshire, was formerly sent for
from a considerable distance to lay the floors of barns withal. Unfor-
tunately, it was only useful against the small black rat, which is the
original Scottish breed, and is now almost extinct. The great grey
rat, which, as old Jacobites malignantly observed, came in at the
Hanover accession, has overrun the privileged districts, as well as
every other in Scotland, and is understood to have banished or de-
stroyed the original breed. The black rat lives on land exclusively,
the grey is amphibious.

372 NOTES ON

Note XXIX.
Stranaver, where a rude sort of inhabitants dwell, almost as barbarous

as Cannibal*; who, when they kill a beast, boil him in his hide, make

a cald/on of his skin, brewse of his body, drink of his blood, and

bread and meat of his carcase. — P. 209.

It would seem, that so lately as the middle of the seventeenth
century., the inhabitants of Strathnaver retained the rude and savage
mode of cookery once proper to all Scotland. In Edward the Third's
reign, while the Scottish army forsook their camp at Stanhope-park,
in Northumberland, they left nothing behind them but three hun-
dred cauldrons, made of raw hides. ' ( They have no occasion," says
Froissart, " for pots or pans, for they dress the flesh of the cattle in
the skins, after they have flayed them off." In Derricke's Image of
Ireland, he gives the same account of the Irish commons which
Franck does of the inhabitants of Strathnairn.

Well, beeves are knocked doune,

the butchers plaie their parte,
Tho take each one the intrails forthe,

the liver with the harte ;
And beyng breathyng newe,

th' unwashen puddyngs thei,
Upon the coales or embers hotte,

for want of gredyron laie,
And, scarce not halfe enough,

(draffe serveth well for hoggs,)
Thei take them up, and fall therto,

like ravnyng hongrie doggs.
Devouring gutte and limme,

no parte doth come amisse ;
Whose lippes and chappes with blood doe swim,

most true report is this.

Long slabbers plucke thei forthe
instead of handsome knives ;

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. -373

And with the same thei slashe me out,

good God ! what pretie shives.
Not shives of bread I meane,

for that were verie rare,*
But gobbes of fleshe not boyld inough,

whiche is their common fare.
Their chiefest drinke is milke ;

for want of milke, the brothe
Thei take ; which thing the surgion sweares

Is phisicke, by his trothe. j-

Xote XXX.
John a Groat.—?. 209.

This extreme inhabitant of Scotland lived upon the Pen tland Frith,
close by Duncan's bay-head. His dwelling is no more, and the site
is occupied by a magazine. But some of the patriarch's descendants,
in the fourth generation, reside in Caithness and Orkney. The fa-
ble of the barnacles, which follows, was echoed in all descriptions
of Scotland until of late years. Hence Cleveland's jest : —

A Scot, when from the gallows tree broke loose,
Drops into Styx, and turns a Solun-goose.

Note XXXI.

Dunrobin. — P. 211, 212.

Dunrobin is the baronial castle of the family of Sutherland ;
much enlarged and improved by the Marquis and Marchioness of
Stafford.

* " A Bohemian baron, whose curiosity led him through Ireland, in the

heat of Tyrone's rebellion, during eight days' journey, found no bread, not

so much as a cake of oats, till he came to dine with Tyrone himself." — Mon-

M 's Travels. Part III. p. 103 — " Con-more, the great O'Neal, cursed

any of his pedigree who should learn English, build houses, or sow com."

+ Ix>rd Corners' Tracts, second edition, 1801). Vol. I. p. a88. 580.

374 NOTES ON

Note XXXII.
Tayn in Ross, sacks all their malefactors, so swims them to their

graves. — P. 213.

Punishment, by drowning, was once universally practised through
Scotland. An old Strathnaver Highlander of this period, is said to
have bemoaned himself and his neighbours, advising all men to take
care of themselves, for the law had come as near them as Tain.
The Regent Murray drowned seven men at St Andrews, for piracy.
I suppose the prevalence of this custom was founded on economy.
The sack in which the criminals were tied, would serve the same
purpose again, which a halter could not. They were held down with
poles, till life was extinguished.

Note XXXIII.
Urquart.—P. 217.

The author speaks of the translator of Rabekis, Sir Thomas
Urquhart of Cromarty, and of his father, the older Sir Thomas.
The number of forty children, assigned in the text to the former, is
at least as remarkable, and probably as fabulous, as any thing in the
genealogy compiled by the son, who establishes Adam in the cha-
racter of the first Urquhart of Cromarty. A tinge of insanity is vi-
sible in Sir Thomas Urquhart's writings, which did not, however,
disqualify him from the task of translating Rabelais with the ut-
most spirit. Our author seems to have established his own style, in
some degree, upon the same model with Sir Thomas.

Note XXXIV.

Old Chanery, hung about with charms.-— P. 21 7.
Channery, a town in Ross-shire, situated on the sea shore, de-
rives its name from the establishments of Canons Regular, which
long flourished there. How the place came to be peculiarly renown-
ed for sorcery, does not appear ; but it is so celebrated in the "Fly-
ting of Polwart and Montgomery," where Nicneven, the Hecate of
Scottish necromancy, is thus introduced : —

Nicneven and her nymphs, in number anew,
With charms from Caitness, and Chanrie in Ross.

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 375

If the witches of Chanrie possessed, as is intimated, the power of
compelling grampuses to come ashore, their skill must, in such a si-
tuation, have been of great use to their town-folks.

Note XXXV.
Bogagieth, the Marquess ofHuntlys palace. — P. 220.

Bog of Gight was the ancient name of Castle Gordon. Mr Pen-
nant, in the first volume of his Tour through Scotland, quotes our
author's description of this principal residence of the great family
of Gordon, and illustrates it by an old print, which he conceives to
represent that lofty fabric upon whose beauties Mr Franck is so elo-
quent. The building, in the engraving, very much resembles Heriot's
hospital at Edinburgh ; and the architecture seems at least a century
too late for the year 1501, assigned as the date of the castle. It could
have been wished that Mr Pennant had given us the authority on
which he conceived the print to be designed to represent old Castle-
Gordon. The author always reads Trespey for Strath-Spey — misled
by the popular pronunciation.

The ancient residence was called Bogra-gbdhu, or windy bog,
there being a very free circulation of air from the Frith and the
west ; and the ferry-boat is still the boat of Bog. This habitation
was long known, all over the north, by the name of " The Bog,"
for an obvious reason. Spalden seldom uses any other term for it.
— See Statistical Account of Scotland, Vol. 14, p. 265.

Note XXXVI.
Steen~hive — Dunnotter-Castle — in this Jine fortress they conceal the

Regalia of Scotland. — P. 231.

For Steen-hive, we must read Stone-haven. In Dunnotter-Cas-
tle the Regalia of Scotland were deposited for preservation during
the Civil Wars ; and when the fortress was near being compelled to
surrender, they were secretly conveyed thence by the Reverend Mr
Granger and his wife, and buried in the Kirk of Kinneff, of which
Mr Granger was clergyman, and where they were secreted until the
Restoration. In 1656, when our author travelled in Scotland, the ge-
neral belief was received that they were concealed somewhere about
the castle.

376 NOTES ON

Note XXXVII.
Flourishing Aberdeen. — P. 222.

From the high compliments which the author pays to Aberdeen,
Glasgow, Montr ose, and one or two other commercial towns, we
must suppose the trade of Scotland, during the sixteenth century,
to have been more considerable than is generally believed.

Note XXXVIII.

Dundee — storm 'd and spoil' d by the rash precipitancy of foreign mer-
cenaries.— P. 234.

In 1651, Dundee was taken by storm, by the parliamentary army,
commanded by General Monk, with circumstances of great violence
and cruelty. Lumsden, the governor, is said to have been put to
death after quarter had been given to him. In the statistical ac-
count of the parish, .the slaughter is estimated, upon calculations
there given, at about one-sixth part of the whole inhabitants. The
worthy clergyman gives many traditional particulars of this merci-
less assault, which took place 1st September 1651. When our au-
thor proceeds to say, that "he that doomed Dundee to die, is dead
himself, and doomed ere this," he confirms the opinion expressed
in the preface, that lu's Journal had undergone various alterations
subsequent to the date assigned to his travels. Monk, who is cer-
tainly the person meant, died 3d Jan. 1669-70.

Note XXXIX.

Scoon — How stands the kirk on all the kingdom ? — P. 241.
Our author has improved upon, or altered, the legend concerning
the Mote-hill at Scone, said by old authors to be termed Omnis
Terra, because every Baron in Scotland brought thither a handful
of the soil of his estate, in token of his surrendering it to the king,
to receive it again in feudal investiture. Mr Franck supposes the
foundations of the church to have been laid upon this collection of
earth, whereas the common account represents it to have been em-
ployed in forming the little mound, or mons placiti, called the Mote-
lull.

THE NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 377

Note XL.
On Tintaw-top, $c. — It is a riddle, and stuffed with varieties. —

P. 257.

The rhymes which our author has taken the pains to preserve,
are no riddle, but a puzzle, which children amuse themselves by re-
citing very fast — a forfeit being imposed for every blunder, which,
in so many words of concurring sound, it is not easy to avoid. A
wit of our own day has, however, made the Kist on Tintaw-Tap the
subject of a humorous and burlesque ballad.

Note XLI.
Belgrade.— P. 261.
Read Belford.— The first stage south of Berwick.

Note XLII.

I lived in the reign of Jive kings, and in the time of four great wor-
thies.—?. 286.

The five kings must have been James I., Charles I., Charles II.,
James II., William III. The worthies, though only the initial let-
ter of each name is given, are Oliver Cromwell, Lord Russell, Al-
gernon Sydney, and Alderman Cornish.

2 A

378

THE ANGLER.

FROM

BROWNE'S BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS.

THE following curious sketch, evidently drawn from the
life, has been added for the gratification of the lovers of the
gentle art of Angling : —

Now as an angler, melancholy standing
Upon a greene bancke yeelding roome for landing,
A wrigling yealow worme thrust on his hooke,
Now in the midst he throwes, then in a nooke :
Here pulls his line, there throws it in againe,
Mending his croke and baite, but all in vaine,
He long stands viewing of the curled streame ;
At last a hungry pike, or well-growne breame,
Snatch at the worme, and hasting fast away,
He, knowing it a fish of stubborne sway,
Puls up his rod, but soft, (as having skill,)
Wherewith the hooke fast holds the fishe's gill.
Then all his line he freely yeeldeth him,
Whilst furiously all up and downe doth swimme
Th' insnared fish, here on the toppe doth scud,
There underneath the banckes, then in the mud ;
And with his franticke fits so scares the shole,
That each one takes his hide, or starting hole :
By this the pike cleane wearied, underneath
A willowe lyes, and pants, (if fishes breathe,)

379

"Wherewith the angler gently puls him to him ;
And least his hast might happen to undoe him,
Layes downe his rod, then takes his line in hand,
And, hy degrees, getting the fish to land,
Walkes to another poole: at length is winner.

WILLIAM BROWNE is a descriptive poet, to whom the most
fastidious will concede the merit of having been a warm ad-
mirer and close observer of the charms of Nature ; though it
must be admitted, that his taste for rural imagery is too in-
discriminate ; that his pictures are generally out of keeping;
and that his passion for the Italian writers led him into fre-
quent conceits. Yet every observing reader must have found
enough of pleasing and accurate description in the Britan-
nia's Pastorals, to ensure a considerable share of his lenity,
even to the puerility and fantastic extravagance of the poet.
Strength of pencil and power of selection, are the qualities
we chiefly miss in the perusal.

G.

THE END.

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The WORKS of JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D. Dean of St Pa-
trick's, Dublin, containing additional Letters, Tracts, and Poems
not hitherto published ; with Notes, and a Life of the Author.
Handsomely printed. 19 vols. 8vo. With a Portrait and other
Plates. L.9, 19s. 6d. boards.

PAUL'S LETTERS TO HIS KINSFOLK, being a Series
of Letters from the Continent in the Year 181o. Fourth Edition,
8yo. 12s. boards.

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